Microplate Barcode Labeler User Guide - Agilent Technologies

Microplate Barcode 

Labeler 

User Guide 

Agilent Technologies

Notices 

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2008-2009 

No part of this manual may be reproduced 

in any form or by any means (including 

electronic storage and retrieval or translation 

into a foreign language) without prior 

agreement and written consent from Agilent 

Technologies, Inc. as governed by 

United States and international copyright 

laws. 

User Guide Part Number 

G5404-90001 

November/2003 

Contact Information 

Agilent Technologies Inc. 

Automation Solutions 

5301 Stevens Creek Blvd. 

Santa Clara, CA 95051 

USA 

Technical Support: 1.800.979.4811 

or +1.408.345.8011 

service.automation@agilent.com 

Customer Service: 1.866.428.9811 

or +1.408.345.8356 

orders.automation@agilent.com 

European Service: +44 12081443513 

euroservice.automation@agilent.com 

Documentation feedback: 

documentation.automation@agilent.com 

Web: http://www.agilent.com 

Acknowledgements 

Microsoft and Windows are registered 

trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation in 

the United States and other countries. 

Warranty 

The material contained in this document 

is provided “as is,” and is subject 

to being changed, without notice, 

in future editions. Further, to the maximum 

extent permitted by applicable 

law, Agilent disclaims all warranties, 

either express or implied, with regard 

to this manual and any information 

contained herein, including but not 

limited to the implied warranties of 

merchantability and fitness for a particular 

purpose. Agilent shall not be 

liable for errors or for incidental or 

consequential damages in connection 

with the furnishing, use, or performance 

of this document or of any 

information contained herein. Should 

Agilent and the user have a separate 

written agreement with warranty 

terms covering the material in this 

document that conflict with these 

terms, the warranty terms in the separate 

agreement shall control. 

Technology Licenses 

The hardware and/or software described in 

this document are furnished under a 

license and may be used or copied only in 

accordance with the terms of such license. 

Restricted Rights Legend 

If software is for use in the performance of 

a U.S. Government prime contract or subcontract, 

Software is delivered and 

licensed as “Commercial computer software” 

as defined in DFAR 252.227-7014 

(June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as 

defined in FAR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted 

computer software” as defined in FAR 

52.227-19 (June 1987) or any equivalent 

agency regulation or contract clause. Use, 

duplication or disclosure of Software is 

subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard 

commercial license terms, and non-DOD 

Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Government 

will receive no greater than 

Restricted Rights as defined in FAR 52.227- 

19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Government 

users will receive no greater than Limited 

Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14 

(June1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2) 

(November 1995), as applicable in any 

technical data. 

Safety Noticies 

A WARNING notice denotes a 

hazard. It calls attention to an 

operating procedure, practice, or the 

like that, if not correctly performed or 

adhered to, could result in personal 

injury or death. Do not proceed 

beyond a WARNING notice until the 

indicated conditions are fully 

understood and met. 

A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It 

calls attention to an operating procedure, 

practice, or the like that, if not correctly 

performed or adhered to, could result in 

damage to the product or loss of important 

data. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION 

notice until the indicated conditions are 

fully understood and met.

Agilent Technologies 

Letter to our Customers 

Dear Customer, 

The Agilent Technologies acquisition of Velocity11 resulted in the following 

changes: 

• Creation of Agilent Technologies Automation Solutions, formerly Velocity11 

• Renaming of some Velocity11 products 

• New Customer Service and Technical Support contact information 

• New website address for product information 

Please make a note of the following changes as they impact this user guide. 

Velocity11 product name changes 

Velocity11 product name 

Access2 Automated Microplate 

Loader 

Element Automation System 

IWorks Device Driver Programming 

Interface 

PlatePierce Seal Piercing Station 

VCode Barcode Print and Apply 

Station 

Velocity11 Robot 

VHooks Integration Interface 

VPrep Pipetting System 

VSpin Microplate Centrifuge 

VStack Labware Stacker 

Changes to … 

Automated Centrifuge Loader 

BioCel 900 System 

VWorks DCL Interface 

Microplate Seal Piercer 

Microplate Barcode Labeler 

3- Axis Robot 

VWorks Hooks Interface 

Vertical Pipetting Station 

Microplate Centrifuge 

Labware Stacker 

New contact information 

Documentation feedback: documentation.automation@agilent.com 

Technical Support: 1.800.979.4811 or +1.408.345.8011 

service.automation@agilent.com 

Customer Service: 1.866.428.9811 or +1.408.345.8356 

orders.automation@agilent.com 

European Service: +44 12081443513 

euroservice.automation@agilent.com 

Web: http://www.agilent.com 

Agilent Technologies, Inc., Automation Solutions, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA

Table of Contents 

VCode User Guide 

i 

Contents 

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

About Velocity11 user guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Who this guide is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Finding your software versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

What this guide covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Other user guides to read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Reporting problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Safety information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Chapter 2. VCode orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

About the VCode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Hardware overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Overview of the controlling software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Overview of the software architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Bar code terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

The labelling process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

The different ways to label plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Chapter 3. Installing the VCode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

Installation workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Unpacking and inspecting the VCode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Computer requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Lab requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Connecting the air tubing: North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Connecting the air tubing: Europe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Setting the air pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Disconnecting the air tubing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Connecting the power cord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Choosing between a serial or Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

Connecting with serial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

About Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Ethernet networking workflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Installing a network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

Connecting Ethernet cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Manually setting the network card’s IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

Checking the network card’s IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

About manually setting the VCode’s IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

ii 



Connecting to the VCode with HyperTerminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Manually setting the VCode’s IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Installing and starting DHCP server software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 

Turning off Ethernet firewall software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

Installing VCode software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

Chapter 4. Setting up the VCode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

Starting PlateTag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Turning the VCode on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

About profiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

Communicating with the VCode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

Starting VCode Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Checking the basic applicator functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 

Viewing printer settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 

About plate stage and head positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 

Setting plate stage auto-repositioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

Viewing the robot pickup angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 

Rotating the plate stage manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 

Moving the plate stage to a teachpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 

Setting the robot pickup angle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 

Placing a plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

About the vertical plate stage positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 

Setting the heights of the plate stage positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 

Creating a profile to add a VCode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 

Working with existing profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 

Chapter 5. Creating label formats for printing . . . . . . . . . . 83 

About label formats and the label editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 

Workflow for designing a label format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 

Loading label formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 

Removing unneeded label format data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 

Adding a label format field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

Defining the value of a label format field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 

Changing the field format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 

Positioning a field on the label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 

Changing the size of a field on the label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 

Uploading and saving a label format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

About test printing and applying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 

Printing one label from the Label Editor page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

Printing one label from the Testing page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 

Printing and applying multiple labels to a plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 

Printing and applying identical labels to a batch of plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104



iii 

Chapter 6. Running a print job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 

Batch labelling workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 

Setting the locations of stored files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 

About print jobs and schemas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 

About data sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 

Creating a CSV or TXT data file in a text editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 

Creating an Excel data source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 

Creating a constant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 

Creating a counter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 

Cloning a bar code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 

Creating a schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 

Configuring a schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 

Selecting a CSV or TXT file data source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 

Opening an Excel data source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 

Setting the label format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 

Setting the drop stage value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 

Creating a print job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 

Starting a production labelling run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 

Labelling groups of plates with identical labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 

Test printing with a print job in sticky mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 

Chapter 7. Using the VCode’s bar code reader. . . . . . . . . 139 

About the bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 

About installing the bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 

Attaching the bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 

Positioning the bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 

Testing the reader using VCode Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 

Using bar code verification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 

About changing the reader’s label formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 

Connecting the reader’s wiring harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 

Communicating with the bar code reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 

Changing the bar code reader’s formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 

Chapter 8. VCode ActiveX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 

Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 

Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

iv 


VCode User Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction 


1 

Introduction 1 

This chapter introduces the VCode User Guide, provides technical 

support and safety information, and describes the resources available to 

you for finding the information you need.

2 



About Velocity11 user guides 

Introduction 

Each Velocity11 ® user guide is delivered to you as: 

❑ An online help file 

❑ A PDF file 

❑ A printed book 

The information in each format is the same but each has different 

strengths. To work most effectively it will help to know when it is best to 

use each format. 

Where to find the 

online help and PDF 

files 

The online help and PDF files are included on the VCode ® software CD- 

ROM, as files that you need to copy onto your computer. They are not 

automatically installed with the software. 

You can also download them from our Web site at www.velocity11.com/ 

support/support.html. 

Online help 

The online help is the best format to use when you are working at the 

computer and when you want to perform fast or advanced searches for 

information. It is also the only format in color. 

To open the online help: 

1. If you are currently using Velocity11 software, check the status bar to 

see if it says “Click F1 for Help”, and if so, push the F1 key on your 

keyboard. 

2. If you are not using our software, or the F1 option is not available, 

locate the VCode.chm file and double-click it. 

Note: For quick access to the help, create a shortcut to the .chm 

file on your desktop. 

Main features 

The online help viewer includes a navigation pane, content pane and 

navigation buttons.



3 

Navigation pane Content pane Navigation buttons 

The navigation pane has four tabs, providing four different ways to 

locate information. 

The content pane displays the online help topics. 

Navigation buttons in the content pane allow you to navigate through 

the pages. Click the question mark button for more information. 

Filename 

The VCode online help user guide is a single file named 

VCodeUserGuide_.chm. You can open it by doubleclicking 

the file. 

Computer requirements 

You can copy the online help file to any computer, but to open it 

requires a Microsoft ® Windows ® operating system and Microsoft 

Internet Explorer version 4 or greater. 

PDF user guide 

Filenames 

The VCode user guide in PDF format is a file named 

VCodeUserGuide_.pdf. 


To open the user guide in PDF format, you need an Acrobat viewer. You 

can either use the viewer that is built into Adobe Acrobat, or you can 

download the free Adobe Reader application from 

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html. 

We provide user guides in PDF format for printing additional copies. You 

can also use them for simple searches using the Find button, although 

these searches are much slower than online help searches:

4 



For more information about using PDF documents, see the Adobe 

Acrobat PDF help system that can be accessed from your Acrobat 

viewer. 

To open the PDF help system: 

1. With the PDF file open, select Help > Acrobat Help. 

Who this guide is for 

Job roles 

This guide is for anyone who integrates, installs, configures or uses the 

VCode with one of the supported software versions. 

Supported software 

versions 

This guide specifically supports the following software versions: 

❑ PlateTag version 3.0.x. 

❑ VCode Diagnostics (VCode3.ocx) version 9.x. 

Related information 

For more information about... 

Finding out your software versions 

See... 

“Finding your software versions” on 

page 5



5 

Finding your software versions 

Introduction 

This topic shows you how find out your versions of PlateTag and VCode 

Diagnostics. 

From the CD-ROM 

The easiest way to find out your software versions is to look on the 

software CD-ROM label. 

From the files 

If you cannot find the software CD-ROM you can look at the version 

information in the executable files. 

To find the PlateTag or diagnostics version number: 

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Velocity11\VCode. 

2. Right-click PlateTag.exe or VCode3.ocx (diagnostics) and select 

Properties. 

3. Click the Version tab. 

From the software 

If the software is open, you can also find the version of PlateTag or 

VCode Diagnostics following the procedures below. 

To find the PlateTag version number: 

1. Start PlateTag. 

2. Navigate to Help > About PlateTag. 

To find the diagnostics version number: 

1. Start PlateTag. 

2. Start VCode Diagnostics. 

3. Read the version number on the title bar. 



See... 

How to start PlateTag “Starting PlateTag” on page 58 

How to start VCode Diagnostics 

“Starting VCode Diagnostics” on 

page 62

6 



What this guide covers 

What is covered 

This guide covers the installation, setup and operation of the VCode as a 

stand-alone instrument. 

Using the VCode 

with a BioCel or 

BenchCel 

If your VCode is integrated into a BioCel ® or BenchCel ® , you can still 

use this guide for: 

❑ General product information 

❑ Procedures for directly communicating with the VCode using VCode 

Diagnostics 

However, for information about how to use the VCode for production 

labelling runs, see the BioCel User Guide or BenchCel User Guide. 

What is not covered 

This guide does not cover the operation of VCodes that are integrated 

into another company’s lab automation system. It does, however, 

provide the ActiveX reference information needed to perform the 

integration. 

Other user guides to read 

Printer user guide 

In addition to this guide, review the Intermec 3240 Bar Code Label 

Printer User Guide distributed by Velocity11 on the software CD-ROM. 

This PDF has been annotated by Velocity11 to show you which parts of 

the manual are relevant when using the VCode. 

Bar code reader 

user guide 

If your VCode has a bar code reader and you want product 

specifications, or more detailed warnings and precautions, download 

the BL-600 Series Laser Bar Code Reader User’s Manual from 

www.keyence.com.



7 

Reporting problems 

Reporting software 

errors 

If you find an error in the Velocity11 software, or are unable to solve a 

technical problem, please let us know by sending an email to 

service@velocity11.com. 

Reporting user guide 

errors 

If you find an error in this user guide, or have any suggestions for 

improvement, please let us know. Your comments will be reviewed 

promptly and used to write the next version of the guide. 

It only takes a minute or two to provide feedback using the feedback 

button in the online help. 

You can also send an email directly to documentation@velocity11.com.

8 



Safety information 

Introduction 

This topic gives general information about VCode safety hazards. 

Before using 

Before using a VCode, your organization should make sure that you are 

properly trained in: 

❑ General laboratory safety 

❑ The correct and safe operation of the VCode 

❑ The correct and safe operation of other lab automation systems or 

components used in combination with the VCode 

If you are the person in your organization responsible for training others 

on the VCode and you have a safety question, please take the time to ask 

us. 

Safety labels 

Pay attention to safety labels printed on your product. A safety label 

consists of a warning symbol, a description of the warning, and 

information that will help you to avoid the safety hazard. 

An example safety label is shown here: 

Chemical hazards 

Some chemicals used when working with the VCode may be hazardous. 

Make sure that you follow the recommendations in the MSDS (Material 

Safety Data Sheet) for every chemical that you plan to use. The 

manufacturer of the chemical should provide you with the MSDS. 

Waste disposal 

Remember to dispose of chemicals in accordance with local, state and 

federal regulations. 

Product use 

Velocity11’s products must only be used in the manner in which we 

intend, as described in our user guides. Any other use may damage the 

product or injure you. Velocity11 is not responsible for damages caused, 

in whole or part, by unauthorized modifications, or by procedures that 

are not explicitly described in our user guides. Any modifications or 

changes to products not expressly approved in Velocity11 user guides 

could void the warranty.

Chapter 2: VCode orientation 


9 

VCode orientation 2 

This chapter gives you the background information you need to 

successfully operate the VCode ® .

10 



About the VCode 

Product description 

The VCode Bar Code Print and Apply Station prints bar code labels and 

applies them to any side of a microplate. As bar code labels can include 

human readable fields, this allows both humans and lab automation 

systems to track individual microplates as they move through a lab 

process. 

label example 

Ways to use the 

VCode 

A VCode can be used: 

❑ As a stand-alone instrument 

❑ As part of a Velocity11 ® lab automation system 

❑ As part of another company’s lab automation system 

Use as a stand-alone 

unit 

When the VCode is set up as a stand-alone unit, it is connected to a 

computer that runs two types of software provided by Velocity11: 

❑ PlateTag software for performing batch labelling runs 

❑ VCode Diagnostics for testing and setup 

When used for batch runs as a stand-alone instrument, you place a plate 

on the plate stage, press the green button to perform the print-and-apply 

operation, and then replace the plate with the next one. 

Use as part of a 

Velocity11 lab 

automation system 

When the VCode is set up as part of a Velocity11 BioCel ® or BenchCel ® 

lab automation system it is run by two types of software: 

❑ VWorks or BenchWorks software for performing batch labelling 

runs 

❑ VCode Diagnostics for testing and setup 

When used with the BioCel or BenchCel, plates are automatically 

moved to and from the VCode by a robot. 

Use in another 

company’s lab 


When the VCode is set up as part of another company’s lab automation 

system, it is controlled by third-party software for automated printing 

and applying. 

Through the third-party software you may be able to open and use the 

Velocity11 VCode Diagnostics. 

When used as part of another company’s lab automation system, plates 

are automatically moved to and from the VCode by a robot.



11 

Hardware overview 

Overview diagram 

The VCode comprises a bar code applicator and label printer 

assembled on a base plate. 

precision print 

Printer 

Plate stage 

00033c 

Vcode 

Vcode 

Applicator 

head 

Green button 

00033c 

Applicator 

Feature 

Applicator head 

Green button 

Plate stage 

Description 

Uses suction cups to remove a label from the media 

(label roll), then turns to face the plate and applies the 

label. 

The button that starts a print-and-apply operation for 

batch runs administered by PlateTag. 

The position that holds a plate delivered by a person or 

robot. 

The plate stage rotates to allow labelling on all four sides 

and to allow a bar code to be read. It also moves up and 

down to accommodate almost any plate. 

Note: If you purchased your VCode to use as a standalone 

instrument and later decide to integrate it into 

a BenchCel or BioCel, you may need to replace the 

plate stage with a different type. Contact the 

Velocity11 Service Center for more information.

12 



Bar code reader 

An optional bar code reader is available for use with the VCode. The bar 

code reader can be used with PlateTag to verify bar codes that are 

applied to labels. It can also be used to clone bar codes. 

00174 

Vcode 

Reader 



Setting up a print-and-apply batch 

run 

See... 

“Running a print job” on page 107 

The labelling process “The labelling process” on page 21 

Moving the plate stage to one of 

the standard positions 

Changing the plate stage height 

How to install and use the bar 

code reader 

“Moving the plate stage to a teachpoint” 

on page 71 

“About the vertical plate stage 

positions” on page 75 

“Using the VCode’s bar code reader” on 

page 139 

Cloning a bar code “Cloning a bar code” on page 123



13 

Overview of the controlling software 

Two types of 

software 

The VCode is operated by two types of software: 

❑ VCode Diagnostics 

❑ Batch processing software 

VCode Diagnostics 

VCode Diagnostics provides real-time, simple manual control of the 

VCode and is used for setting up and troubleshooting. Through VCode 

Diagnostics, you send simple commands that are executed immediately. 

You might use it to: 

❑ Set the plate stage teachpoints 

❑ Create bar code formats 

❑ Set communication profiles 

❑ Test the printing and applying functions 

VCode Diagnostics is typically opened from a menu command or 

button in the batch-processing software.

14 



Batch processing 

software 

VCode Diagnostics can be used to print labels for testing purposes, but 

when you have a lot of plates to label for production purposes, you set 

up a run using batch processing software. 

There are three types of batch-processing software: 

❑ PlateTag, for use with the VCode as a stand-alone instrument 

❑ Either VWorks or BenchWorks, for use with a Velocity11 lab 


❑ Software created by another company to interface with the VCode’s 

ActiveX commands 

PlateTag overview 

PlateTag has two pages. Screenshots of each page are shown below.



15 



See... 

Installing the software “Installing VCode software” on page 56 

Starting PlateTag “Starting PlateTag” on page 58 

Starting VCode Diagnostics 


page 62

16 



Overview of the software architecture 

Introduction 

This topic gives an overview of the VCode’s software architecture. This 

information will help you to understand the different options for 

controlling and networking the VCode, which might be useful when 

planning an integration or installation. 

Architecture 

diagram 

An overview of the software is given in the following diagram. 

Computer 

VCode 

Serial commands 

Serial 

Port 

ActiveX 

commands 

PlateTag 

VCode 

TCP/IP 

commands 

ActiveX, 

including 

diagnostics 

ActiveX 

commands 

ActiveX 

commands 

BenchWorks 

VWorks 

VCode 

TCP/IP 

commands 

Ethernet 

switch 

TCP/IP 

commands 

Ethernet 

Network 

card 

ActiveX 

commands 

Third-party 

lab automation 

software 

Architecture 

description 

ActiveX software 

PlateTag, VWorks, BenchWorks, or third-party lab automation software 

receives input from you as you perform actions in the user interface. The 

software responds by sending ActiveX commands to the ActiveX 

software. 

ActiveX is a set of Microsoft® Windows®-based technologies that allows 

software components to interact with each other regardless of the 

programming language in which the components were created. Using 

ActiveX, simple commands initiate complex operations in connected 

VCodes. 

The VCode ActiveX software includes: 

❑ VCode Diagnostics 

❑ Methods, which control individual operations 

❑ Properties, which set the values used in methods, such as Blocking = 

TRUE



17 

❑ Events, which are notifications that methods are complete or have 

errors 

Networking 

The ActiveX commands are converted into a format that can be carried 

over serial or Ethernet network cables and sent to the VCode’s firmware. 

The profile that you select in PlateTag, VWorks or BenchWorks sets the 

communication parameters and determines whether serial or Ethernet 

communication is used. By using an Ethernet switch you can 

communicate with more than one VCode. You can communicate with 

more than one VCode using serial cables if you have more than one 

serial connector (COM port), if you use a USB to serial adapter, or if you 

use a multiport serial adapter. 



The ActiveX methods, events and 

properties used to control the 

VCode from third-party software 

Setting up a network 

Using the VCode as a stand-alone 

instrument 

See... 

“VCode ActiveX” on page 155 

“Choosing between a serial or Ethernet 

network” on page 34 

“Use as a stand-alone unit” on page 10

18 



Bar code terminology 

Introduction 

If you are responsible for deciding what the bar code labels printed in 

your lab should look like, you will need to learn the terminology that is 

used to describe bar codes and how they are represented in the VCode 

software. This topic explains bar code terminology. 

About bar codes 

Bar codes carry information that can be read automatically, facilitating 

the fast and accurate tracking of plates in lab automation systems. 

Each bar code is a sequence of parallel bars and spaces of variable 

widths that are arranged in groups. Each group represents an individual 

number, letter, or symbol. Within each group, the information is 

encoded by the relative thicknesses and relative positions of the bars 

and spaces. 

A bar code scanner reads the line patterns, and software converts them 

into usable information. 

C 

Bar code field 

defined 

Each label printed by the VCode contains fields of data that are printed 

at defined positions. One piece of information is printed for every field. 

The example below, shows how three fields may be arranged on a label. 

Field 1 

Field 2 

Field 3 

When printed, you can see that two of the fields are human-readable 

text fields and the third is a machine-readable bar code field. 

Hello 

Goodbye 

Label field data 

Associated with every field is a set of information that defines: 

❑ Whether the field is a human-readable text field or a bar code field 

❑ The font family used for printing text 

❑ The method used for text encoding if it is a bar code field 

❑ The position of the field on the label 

❑ The printed size of the field 

❑ The information that is printed



19 

This set of information is known as the label field data. You set up label 

field data in VCode Diagnostics. 

The above screenshot shows the set-up for a label that has two fields. 

The first field will print the text “Test Label” and the second field will 

print a bar code that represents the word “Test”. 

Symbologies 

Bar code symbologies define the mapping between a bar code and the 

text that it represents. There are more than 50 bar code symbologies, 

many of which are supported by the VCode’s printer. Bar code 

symbologies that are typically used in labs are those that create compact 

bar codes, such as code39, Interleaved 2 of 5, and code128. 

Symbology 

Hello 

A bar code symbology is one type of bar code field format. The other 

type, of which 8pt Monospace Bold is an example, is used for text fields. 

Encoding and 

decoding 

The printer includes encoding software that converts the text that you 

type in a field into a bar code pattern. 

If your VCode has a bar code reader, the decoder software in the reader 

converts the pattern of a bar code back into text. 

Decode 

Symbology 

Hello 

Encode 

Label formats and 

label format files 

A bar code label format represents the overall format of a label. It is 

made up of a collection of fields and their associated label field data 

used to print a single label. 

Up to 19 label formats can be stored in the printer and any number of 

label formats can be stored as label format files on a drive location of 

your choice. 

Label format files are XML files that can be edited directly in a plain text 

editor, such as Windows Notepad, if desired.

20 



To work with a label format in the label editor of VCode Diagnostics, you 

load the format into memory from either the printer or a label format 

file. To avoid losing changes that you make to a label format when you 

turn off the VCode, you must save the format back to the printer or drive. 

Do not confuse the terms bar code label format and field format. A field 

format determines the printed appearance of a field (not the whole 

label) and is a part of a label field data definition. For example, a field 

format may be 8pt Monospace Bold for a text field or Code 39 for a bar 

code field. To summarize the relationship, a bar code label format 

contains sets of label field data, each of which contains a field format 

definition. 

Do not confuse label format files with data source files. Data source files 

contain the actual data that will be printed on the label. 

Label editor 

The label editor is a user interface feature that represents what a bar 

code label will look like when printed. It allows you to drag fields 

around and position them wherever you like. 

The following example shows how a label will print when the word 

“Test” is represented in field 1 as a text field and in field 2 as a bar code 

field that uses the code 128 symbology. 

Field 1 Field 2 

The next example is the same except that the words “Test Label” are 

used for both fields. Notice that the bar code is longer because the 

amount of text encoded is greater. 

In this last example, the word “Test” is printed as a text field and bar 

code field using the code 39 symbology. If you compare this with the 

first example, which also used the word “Test” you can see that the 

different symbology makes a different bar code pattern.



21 

The labelling process 

Process 

The following sequence of events happens when you start a print-andapply 

command: 

1. The media moves backwards so that the label onto which the bar 

code will be printed is positioned under the printer head. 

2. The label is printed. 

3. The label taken sensor provides the feedback that the label was 

successfully removed. 

4. The media moves forwards to a position where the top of the printed 

label is just beyond the apex of the tear bar. 

5. The applicator head, pointing towards the printer, extends until the 

vacuum cups touch the label. 

6. A vacuum is created in the applicator head’s suction cups to grip the 

label. 

7. The head retracts with the label held by the suction cups. 

8. The head rotates until it is perpendicular to any side of the plate on 

the plate stage. 

9. The head extends, touching the skirt of the plate. 

10. Air is pushed through the suction cups, breaking the vacuum seal 

and providing a force needed for the label to adhere to the plate. 

11. The head retracts and returns to face the printer. 



The positions to which the plate 

stage and applicator head move 

during operation 

The features of the printer 

See... 

“About plate stage and head positions” 

on page 66 

The Intermec 3240 Bar Code Label 

Printer User Guide

22 



The different ways to label plates 

Introduction 

This topic explains the different ways to label plates. If you are new to 

the VCode and are not sure where to start, this topic will help to orient 

you. 

You can: 

❑ Test print and apply one label 

❑ Test print and apply a batch of labels 

❑ Print and apply a batch of labels in a production run 

Test printing one 

label 

After setting up the VCode, or when you are trying to solve a printing 

problem, you can perform a test print of a single label and optionally 

apply it to a plate from the Testing page of VCode Diagnostics. 

When you are designing a label, you can test-print a single label from the 

Label Editor page of VCode Diagnostics. 

Test printing a batch 

of labels 

You can perform a test print of a batch of labels, and optionally apply 

them to one or more sides of a batch of plates. This test printing is also 

performed from the Testing page of VCode Diagnostics. 

As this is a simple testing procedure, every label printed will be the 

same. You will also have to manually place the plates on the plate stage 

as the labels are printed. 

Production labelling 

of a batch of plates 

For production labelling of a batch of plates you can either place plates 

onto the VCode manually or use a robot. 

Manual production labelling 

With manual production labelling, you place a plate on the plate stage, 

press the green button, wait for the plate to be labelled, remove it and 

then repeat the cycle. 

For manual production labelling you create a label format that specifies 

the labels that you want to use. The label format may reference an 

external data source, such as a spreadsheet, that includes the data to 

print in each field. You must also set up a print job in PlateTag that 

combines the data from the data source with formatting information that 

you provide and directs the printing and applying operations. 

Automated production labelling 

Automated production labelling requires a lab automation system that 

uses a robot to move plates to and from the VCode’s plate stage. Robotic 

systems control the VCode with their own software. This software may 

be able to open VCode Diagnostics, allowing you to control basic 

VCode operations directly. 

If you are using a BioCel or BenchCel to label plates you have more 

complex options for the labelling protocol. For example, using the 

FileReader plug-in you can print two fields that use different input data



23 

files on the same label. For more information about this plug-in, see the 

BenchCel User Guide or BioCel User Guide. 



Performing a test print of a single 

label to check a label format you 

have just created 

Performing a test print of a single 

label 

Performing a test print of a batch 

of labels applied to the same plate 

Performing a test print of a batch 

of labels applied to different plates 

Manual labelling of batches of 

plates in a production run 

See... 

“Printing one label from the Label 

Editor page” on page 100 

“Printing one label from the Testing 

page” on page 101 

“Printing and applying multiple labels 

to a plate” on page 103 

“Printing and applying identical labels 

to a batch of plates” on page 104 

“Running a print job” on page 107

24 



Chapter 3: Installing the VCode 


25 

Installing the VCode 3 

This chapter covers unpacking your VCode ® , connecting air tubing and 

the power cord, setting up a network to connect to the computer, and 

installing the software.

26 



Installation workflow 

Workflow 

Perform the following steps to install the VCode: 

Step Procedure See... 

1 Unpack the VCode. “Unpacking and inspecting the 

VCode” on page 27. 

2 Make sure that your computer 

meets requirements. 

“Computer requirements” on 

page 28. 

3 Connect the air tubing. ❑ “Connecting the air tubing: 

North America” on page 29. 

❑ “Connecting the air tubing: 

Europe” on page 30. 

4 Connect the power cable. “Connecting the power cord” on 

page 33. 

5 Network the VCode to the 

computer. 

Note: This topic is the starting 

point for separate workflows 

for each connection option. 

“Choosing between a serial or 

Ethernet network” on page 34. 

6 Install the software. “Installing VCode software” on 

page 56.



27 

Unpacking and inspecting the VCode 

e 

Inspection 

While unpacking your VCode inspect all items to make sure that you 

have everything you need and that there is no obvious shipping damage. 

If you encounter a problem, contact the Velocity11 Service Center as 

soon as possible. 

VCode box !! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Save the packaging materials in case you 

ever need to move or ship the VCode. 

The main VCode box includes: 

❑ A VCode and printer, assembled on a base plate 

❑ A roll of 5,000 labels (minus labels used in the final factory test), 

installed inside the VCode 

❑ A thermal transfer ribbon (installed and used for the final factory 

test) 

❑ One of the following utility kits: 

VCode Utility Kit, North America 

 

 

 

VCode Utility Kit, UK 

VCode Utility Kit, Switzerland 

VCode Utility Kit, Continental EU 

North American 

Utility Kit 

The VCode Utility Kit, North America contains: 

❑ A power cable 

❑ A serial communications cable 

❑ Air tubing, 15 feet by 1/4 inches 

❑ A fittings kit containing: 

Fitting , 1/4-inch NPT to 1/4-inch quick-release 

Fitting, 1/8-inch NPT to 1/4-inch quick-release 

T-fitting, 1/4-inch quick-release 

❑ A VCode software and documentation CD-ROM 

❑ A printed VCode User Guide 

European Utility Kits 

The utility kits for Europe contain: 

❑ A power cable (either continental EU, Swiss, or UK version) 

❑ A serial communications cable 

❑ A Metric Fittings Kit, containing: 

Air tubing, 5 m by 6 mm 

A quick-release adapter to join 1/4 inch and 6 mm hoses

28 



A 1/4” nipple (white plastic tube) 

A quick-release T-hose fitting, 6 mm 

❑ A VCode software and documentation CD-ROM 

❑ A printed VCode User Guide 

Air fittings 

Depending on the configuration of your air supply system, you may 

need to use one or more of the air fittings supplied in the box. If your air 

system has an unusual configuration, you will need to supply your own 

fittings. 


Requirements 

Before starting the installation, make sure that your computer meets the 

following requirements: 

❑ A computer that is running the Microsoft ® Windows ® NT 4.0, 2000, 

or XP operating system 

❑ Either: 

A serial DB9 RS-232 port 

 

An available Ethernet network card 

Lab requirements 

Requirements 

Before installing the VCode, make sure that your laboratory has: 

❑ A supply of clean, dry compressed air: 2.5 cfm at 80 psi (5.3 L/s at 

0.55 MPa) 

❑ A power supply meeting one of the following specifications: 

North American: 120 VAC, 50–60 Hz, 2 A 

European: 20–240 VAC, 50 Hz, 2 A 

❑ Sufficient bench space: 28.5 cm x 61.0 cm (11.2 inches x 

24.0 inches) (not including the computer)



29 

Connecting the air tubing: North America 

Introduction 

This topic is for customers in North America only. It explains how to 

connect the air tubing to the VCode. 

Warnings 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! Switch off the air supply before installing 

your VCode. When air is flowing, air tubing can injure you if it 

whips around and strikes you. If you have not been trained in the 

correct way to handle air tubing, contact your facilities department 

or the Velocity11 Service Center. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Make sure that the air tubing coming 

into your VCode is properly filtered for moisture. Moist air might 

shorten the life of your VCode. If the quality of your air supply is in 

question, please contact Velocity11®. 

Connection 

procedure 

The following procedure is used to set up a direct connection. If you 

have another instrument connected to the house air supply, you can use 

the supplied quick-release T-connector to connect to the existing air 

tubing. 

To install the air tubing: 

1. Cut the supplied 1/4-inch tubing to the length you need. 

2. If your house air uses a threaded connection at the supply end, 

attach the 1/4-inch NPT fitting to the connection. 

3. Plug one end of the tubing into your lab’s air supply. 

4. Plug the other end of the 1/4-inch tubing into the orange quickrelease 

air supply port at the back of the VCode. 

00150c 

Vcode 

air hose 

00150c 

5. Test the installation by gently tugging the air tubing. 

If you feel resistance, the line has been properly installed.

30 



Connecting the air tubing: Europe 

Introduction 

This topic is for customers in Europe only. It explains how to connect the 

air tubing to the VCode. 

To make the VCode compatible with your lab’s air system, you will need 

to connect the VCode’s 1/4-inch air port to the supplied 6-mm air tubing. 

This topic describes how to make this connection. 

Warnings 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! Switch off the air supply before installing 

your VCode. When air is flowing you can be injured if the air tubing 

whips around and strikes you. If you have not been trained in the 

correct way to handle air tubing, contact your facilities department 

or the Velocity11 Service Center. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Make sure that the air coming into your 

VCode is dry and free of impurities, such as oil, which can shorten 

the VCode’s life. If you have any questions about air quality, contact 

Velocity11. 

Before you start 

Before you start, locate the Metric Fittings Kit that is packaged with the 

VCode’s Utility Kit. 

Connection 

assembly 

The Metric Fittings Kit contains an adapter. The following diagram shows 

how the adapter is connected to your VCode. 

Procedure 

The following procedure is used to set up a direct connection. If you 

have another instrument connected to the house air supply, you can use 

the supplied T-connector to connect into the existing air tubing. 

To connect the metric fittings adapter: 

1. Push one end of the nipple (white plastic tube) into the 1/4-inch 

side (red side) of the adapter. 

2. Push the other end of the nipple into the VCode’s air input port. 

3. Push the 6-mm tubing into the blue side of the adapter. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! If you try to insert tubing that has a 

different diameter, you could damage the adapter. 

4. Gently pull on the air tubing to make sure that the assembly is 

connected properly.



31 

Setting the air pressure 

Introduction 

After connecting the air tubing to the VCode you set the air pressure. 

Procedure 

To set the air pressure: 

1. Turn on the air supply to the VCode. 

Typically, the mechanism for turning on the air is a pressure 

regulator located on the wall of your lab. 

2. Adjust the air pressure using the pressure regulator knob at the back 

of the VCode: 

a. Pull out the knob until you feel a click. 

b. Turn the knob to increase or decrease pressure, while watching 

the pressure gauge. 

The pressure should be set to 68–72 psi (0.47–0.50 MPa). 

Knob 

c. Push the knob back in. 


For more information 

about... 

Connecting the air tubing 

See... 

❑ “Connecting the air tubing: North 

America” on page 29 

❑ “Connecting the air tubing: Europe” on 

page 30

32 



Disconnecting the air tubing 

Introduction 

Procedure 

Before moving or shipping the VCode you need to disconnect the air 

tubing. You may also need to do this before performing maintenance or 

cleaning. This topic explains how to disconnect the air tubing without 

damaging the air input connector. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Follow the directions in this topic to 

correctly disconnect the air tubing from the VCode’s air input 

connector. 

To disconnect the air tubing: 

1. Turn off the air source so that there is no air pressure to the VCode. 

2. Push in the orange locking collar on the quick-release fitting. 

00080 

VSpin 

attach air hose 

Orange locking collar 

00080 

3. With your free hand, gently pull on the air tubing until it comes free.



33 

Connecting the power cord 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to connect the VCode to a power source. 


Before you start, read the following warnings. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Operating the VCode at the wrong 

voltage can seriously damage it. 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! The VCode has moving parts. Keep 

clothing, hair and jewelry away from it at all times. 

Procedure 

To install the power cord: 

1. Make sure that the VCode is turned off. 

The on/off rocker switch on the applicator should be pressed in at 

the 0 symbol. 

2. Make sure that the printer is turned off. 

The on/off rocker switch on the printer should be pressed in at the 0 

symbol. 

3. Plug one end of the power cord into the AC power port at the rear of 

the applicator. 

00149 

Vcode 

power cable 

00149 

4. Plug the other end of the power cord into an appropriate, grounded 

electrical socket.

34 



Choosing between a serial or Ethernet network 

Connection options 

You can connect one or more VCodes to the controlling computer using 

either: 

❑ A serial network 

❑ An Ethernet network 

You may also be setting up a new network or adding your VCode to an 

existing network. 

How to choose 

If you are adding your VCode to an existing network, the choice about 

whether to use a serial or Ethernet communication has already been 

made. If you are setting up a new network, some reasons for making a 

choice are given below. 

Why serial might be better 

Connecting the computer to the VCode using a serial cable is simpler 

than connecting with an Ethernet cable. With serial, there is no network 

card to install, no IP addressing to set up and no software to install. 

Serial networking has another advantage. If your controlling computer 

has an Ethernet network card, you do not have to use it for the lab 

automation network so you can use it to connect to your building’s 

general Ethernet network. If you want to set up an Ethernet network, you 

will have to install a second network card. 

Why Ethernet might be better 

Ethernet is a faster, more reliable, and more flexible communication 

technology than serial. Depending on the specifications of your 

computer, you may experience communication problems with a serial 

network, in which case you will have to use an Ethernet network. 

Another advantage of Ethernet networking is that you can run many 

VCodes or other devices from a single network port on your computer. 

Serial connections require one port for every device. If you are planning 

to network more than one VCode, your computer may not have enough 

serial ports so you will have to add more. 



See... 

Setting up a serial network “Connecting with serial” on page 35 

Setting up an Ethernet network 

“About Ethernet networking” on 

page 36



35 

Connecting with serial 

Introduction 

A serial connection is a simple, direct connection between the VCode 

and the controlling computer. 

For more information, see “Choosing between a serial or Ethernet 

network” on page 34. 

Procedure 

To install the serial cable: 

1. Plug one end of the serial cable into the right-hand serial port at the 

back of the VCode and tighten the thumbscrews. 

!! IMPORTANT !! The left-hand serial port is for the optional 

bar code reader. Do not connect the cable to the wrong port. 

00151c 

2. Plug the other end of the serial cable into a serial port of the 

controlling computer. 

You can use any available serial port, but it will make the installation 

easier if you use COM1, the default port in the diagnostics software. 

Next step 

The serial network is now set up. The next step is to install the software, 

following the directions in “Installing VCode software” on page 56.

36 



About Ethernet networking 

Introduction 

There is more than one way to set up an Ethernet network. This topic 

provides the information you need to decide which connection method 

will work best for you. 

For help deciding whether to set up an Ethernet or serial network, see 

“Choosing between a serial or Ethernet network” on page 34. 

Network 

requirements 

You can use Ethernet cables to make a stand-alone connection between 

the computer and a VCode or to connect the VCode to a dedicated lab 

automation local area network. 

Both methods require that the controlling computer has an available 

network card. Most computers come with one Ethernet network card, 

and if you want to use this card to communicate with your lab’s general 

network (for email, Internet access, and so on), you will need to install 

an additional card to communicate with your VCode. 

You will also need one or more Ethernet cables to make the physical 

connections. If you plan to connect multiple VCodes you will also need 

an Ethernet switch to connect the single Ethernet cable attached to your 

computer with the multiple Ethernet cables of the VCodes. 

About IP addresses 

IP address function 

The computer’s network card, and each device on the network, must be 

assigned a different number, called an IP address. IP addresses allow 

computers and devices to be uniquely identified on a network so that 

information can be specifically routed to them. 

Ways to assign an IP address 

There are two ways to assign an IP address: 

❑ Statically, by assigning it manually so that it never changes 

❑ Dynamically, by automatically assigning a new address every time 

the computer or device is turned on. 

Dynamic assignment uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration 

Protocol) software. 

Network card and 

VCode IP addresses 

It is important to consider separately the IP address of the computer’s 

network card, and the IP addresses of VCode and any other devices on 

the network. 

Computer’s IP address 

The network card of the computer that is controlling the VCode on a 

small lab automation network always has a static IP address. This is even 

the case when the devices are dynamically assigned addresses, because 

of the way that the DHCP server works. When the server starts, it reads 

an initialization file that points it to the network card through which the 

computer will serve addresses. A screenshot of the initialization file is 

shown below.



37 

Because the IP address and subnet mask in the file is static, the value of 

the network card’s IP address and subnet mask must always match the 

values in this file. 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! It is possible to run a VCode on a general 

network in which both the VCode and the controlling computer 

have dynamic IP addresses but we caution against this for safety 

reasons. Remote computer operators may accidentally initiate an 

operation that causes the device to move unexpectedly when lab 

personnel are nearby. 

If the computer is also part of a general network, it requires a separate 

network card. This card probably has a dynamic IP address because the 

computer does not control the network and the computer is easier to 

administer this way. 

VCode’s IP address 

The VCode can have an IP address that is either static or dynamic. 

Choosing VCode 

addressing method 

Whether to assign the IP address of the VCode statically or dynamically, 

depends on the network’s architecture. 

With a Stand-Alone Connection 

If you are connecting a single, stand-alone VCode that will be set up this 

way long-term, we recommend that you set the IP address of the VCode 

statically (or use a serial connection). This will save you from having to 

add a second network card to your computer and install DHCP server 

software. 

When Integrating into an Existing LAN with DHCP 

If you are connecting the VCode to an existing network that is already 

running a DHCP server, it is strongly recommended that you 

dynamically assign the IP address of the VCode, and leave the statically 

set IP address of the computer’s network card as it is. 

When Setting up a New LAN Connection 

If you are setting up a new network, you must decide whether to use 

manual or automatic IP addressing for the VCode and any other devices 

on the network.

38 



In general, if you have more than a few devices on your network it is 

more convenient to use automatic addressing because you can remove 

and add devices without having to set up their IP addresses statically 

each time. If you only have a few devices, it may be more convenient to 

set them statically and avoid having to set up the DHCP software. 

DHCP Server Kit 

To make it easier for you to set up an Ethernet network, Velocity11 sells a 

DHCP Server Kit that includes: 

❑ A networking card 

❑ An Ethernet cable 

❑ An Ethernet switch 

❑ DHCP server software 

The server supplied in the DHCP Server Kit will successfully run on 

computers running a Windows XP, NT or 2000 operating system. 

Without the kit, you will need to obtain the necessary parts yourself. 

Next step 

Having read some background information about networking, the next 

step is to decide on a network setup workflow, as described in “Ethernet 

networking workflows” on page 39.



39 

Ethernet networking workflows 

Introduction 

If you have not yet decided whether to use a serial or Ethernet 

connection to your VCode, read “Choosing between a serial or Ethernet 

network” on page 34. 

If you have decided to use an Ethernet connection, read “About 

Ethernet networking” on page 36 to make sure that you are informed 

enough to make decisions about what type of network to set up. 

This topic guides you through the connection setup process according 

to the type of network you want to set up. 

Ethernet connection 

workflow 

The workflow you will use to set up an Ethernet connection depends on: 

❑ Whether you are setting up a new network or integrating your VCode 

into an existing network 

❑ Whether you will assign IP addresses statically or dynamically 

In the following table locate the column that relates to your situation, 

then follow the topics indicated in the step order. 

Step Topic New network, 

static IP 

New network, 

dynamic IP 

Existing 

network, 

static IP 

Existing 

network, 

dynamic IP 

1 “About Ethernet 

networking” on 

page 36 

Yes Yes Yes Yes 

2 “Installing a network 

card” on page 41 

Optional. If you 

want to use 

your existing 

card to connect 

to your lab’s 

general 

network 

Optional. If you 

want to use 

your existing 

card to connect 

to your lab’s 

general 

network 

No 

No 

3 “Manually setting the 

network card’s 

IP address” on page 44 

4 “Connecting Ethernet 

cables” on page 42 



5 “Checking the 

network card’s 


Optional. You 

can do this at 

any time. 

Optional. You 


any time. 

Optional. You 


any time. 

Optional. You 


any time. 

6 “About manually 

setting the VCode’s 


Yes No Yes No

40 



Step Topic New network, 

static IP 

New network, 

dynamic IP 

Existing 

network, 

static IP 

Existing 

network, 

dynamic IP 

7 “Connecting to the 

VCode with 

HyperTerminal” on 

page 48 

8 “Manually setting the 

VCode’s IP address” 

on page 50 

9 “Installing and starting 

DHCP server software” 

on page 53 

10 “Turning off Ethernet 

firewall software” on 

page 55 

Yes No Yes No 

Yes No Yes No 

No Yes No No 

Yes Yes No No



41 

Installing a network card 

Introduction 

This topic provides an orientation for installing a network card when 

setting up a new network. 

If you do not need the controlling computer to connect to the general 

lab network, you can use the network card that your computer probably 

already has to connect to the VCode. You can therefore ignore this 

installation procedure. You will, however, still need to configure the 

card. 

To learn how this topic fits into the overall process of setting up an 

Ethernet network, see “Ethernet networking workflows” on page 39. 

Network card 

installation 

To install the network card: 

1. Locate the network card in the Velocity11 DHCP Server Kit, or obtain 

your own network card. 

2. Follow the instructions included with the card to install it in the 

computer. 

Next step 

The next step is to connect one or more Ethernet cables following the 

directions in “Connecting Ethernet cables” on page 42.

42 



Connecting Ethernet cables 

Introduction 

This topic describes two ways to connect Ethernet cables between a 

VCode and the computer. 



Ways to connect 

You can use Ethernet to connect a VCode to the computer: 

❑ Directly 

❑ Through a switch 

If you are setting up a stand-alone VCode, you can use either method. If 

you are setting up a local area network that will have other devices on it, 

follow only the directions for using a switch. 

Before you begin 

Before starting this procedure, and if you are setting up a new network, 

make sure that the IP address of the computer’s network card has 

already been statically assigned. 

Connecting directly 

To connect your VCode directly to the computer, will need a crossover 

Ethernet cable, which can be obtained from a computer supply retail 

outlet. 

To connect the VCode directly to the computer with Ethernet: 

1. Connect a crossover Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port of the 

connections panel of the Applicator. 

Ethernet connector 

00151 

2. Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port of the 

computer.



43 

Connecting through 

a switch 

An Ethernet switch connects the single cable coming from the computer 

to one or more cables that lead to one or more devices. A switch is 

included in the Velocity11 DHCP Server Kit. 

Note: Do not use a crossover cable with a switch. The switch performs 

the crossover function. 

If you are setting up a new network, connect the Ethernet switch to the 

computer and then connect the VCode to the Ethernet switch using the 

procedures in this section. 

If you are adding a VCode to an existing LAN, you do not need to 

perform the first procedure because the switch should already be 

connected. 

To connect the switch to the computer: 

1. Connect the power cord to the switch. 

2. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into any Ethernet port of the 

switch. 

3. Plug the other end into the available Ethernet port of the computer. 

To connect the VCode to the switch: 

1. Plug one end of a second Ethernet cable into any available port of 

the Ethernet switch. 

2. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port of the VCode. 

Connecting 

additional VCodes 

You can connect up to six more VCodes to the network through the 

switch. 

For each additional VCode you connect, you will need to create an 

additional profile. 



Creating additional profiles 

See... 

“Creating a profile to add a VCode” on 

page 79

44 



Manually setting the network card’s IP address 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to manually set the IP address of the computer 

that controls the VCode. 



For general information about Ethernet networks, see “About Ethernet 

networking” on page 36. 

Procedure 

To manually set the network card’s IP address: 

1. In Windows, click Start > Settings > Network and Dial-up 

Connections. 

2. Right-click the icon for the new local area connection (which may 

be Local Area Connection 2 on your system), and click Properties. 

3. Double-click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).



45 

4. Select Use the Following IP address, and enter 192.168.0.1 for 

the IP address and 255.255.255.0 for the subnet mask. 

This manually configures the IP address of the card. 

5. Click OK.

46 



6. Close the Network Connections window. 

Checking the network card’s IP address 

Introduction 

When setting up an Ethernet network, you might want to verify the 

IP address of the network card in the computer. This topic describes 

how to do that. 




Before you can check the IP address of a computer, the computer’s 

network card must have been manually assigned an address. 

Procedure 

To check the IP address of a computer’s network card: 

1. On the computer whose IP address you want to check, in Windows, 

navigate to Start > Programs or All Programs > Accessories > 

Command Prompt. 

A Command Prompt window opens. 

2. Type ipconfig and press ENTER. 

One IP address for every network card in your computer is shown. 



Ethernet Networks 

The overall process of setting up 

an Ethernet network 

See... 


page 36 

“Ethernet networking workflows” on 

page 39



47 

About manually setting the VCode’s IP address 

Introduction 

This topic gives an overview of the process used to manually set the 

VCode’s IP address. Do not confuse this process with manually setting 

the computer network card’s IP address. 



Why do this 

The VCode is set up at the factory to work with an Ethernet network that 

automatically assigns IP addresses. If you plan to use Ethernet to 

connect to the VCode but do not want to set up DHCP server software to 

automatically assign the VCode’s IP address, you will need to 

reconfigure the VCode’s firmware to assign an IP address manually. 

Process overview 

Even though your goal is to set up an Ethernet connection, the only way 

to change the VCode’s IP address is to temporarily connect to the VCode 

with a serial cable. The overall process is: 

1. Physically connect a serial cable between the computer and the 

VCode. 

2. Use HyperTerminal to open a communication connection to the 

VCode. 

3. Change the IP address of the VCode in the firmware’s user interface. 

4. Disconnect the serial cable. 

5. Set up the Ethernet network. 



Physically connecting a serial 

cable 

Opening a connection to the 

VCode with HyperTerminal 

How to manually set the 

computer’s IP address 

How to manually set the computer 

network card’s IP address 

Setting up an Ethernet Network 

See... 

“Connecting with serial” on page 35 

“Connecting to the VCode with 

HyperTerminal” on page 48 

“Manually setting the VCode’s 


“Checking the network card’s 



page 36

48 



Connecting to the VCode with HyperTerminal 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to use HyperTerminal to open a serial 

connection to the VCode. You must do this before you can change the 

VCode’s IP address. 

For more information, see “About manually setting the VCode’s 

IP address” on page 47. 

About HyperTerminal 

HyperTerminal is a program that allows you to communicate with the 

VCode across a serial cable. The program was installed as part of your 

Windows operating system. 


Before connecting to the VCode, make sure that no other application is 

using the same serial port. For example, if you have recently 

reprogrammed a VCode bar code reader, you may still have an open 

serial connection on the same port. To close the connection, correctly 

close the software application that is using the connection. 

Opening a 

connection 

To connect to the VCode: 

1. In Windows, navigate to Start > Programs or All Programs > 

Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal. 

The Connection Description dialog box opens. 

2. In the Name text box, type a simple, one-word name to give the 

connection, and click OK. 

The Connect To dialog box opens.



49 

3. In the Connect using list box, select the COM port on your computer 

to which the serial cable to the VCode is connected. 

4. Click OK. 

5. Select the following values in the list boxes of the Properties dialog 

box. 

Setting 

Value 

Bits per second 57600 

Data bits 8 

Parity 

None 

Stop bits 1 

Flow control 

None 

6. Click OK. 

A serial connection is made to the VCode and HyperTerminal 

presents a blank screen.

50 



Next step 

After forming a connection, you can manually set the IP address through 

the preferences of the VCode’s firmware, as described in “Manually 

setting the VCode’s IP address” on page 50. 

Manually setting the VCode’s IP address 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to set the IP address of the VCode manually. 

You would do this only if you are using an Ethernet connection to the 

VCode and you are setting up a network that does not use a DHCP server 

to automatically assign IP addresses. 

The topic also tells you what to do if your VCode currently has a 

manually assigned IP address and you want to convert it to an 

automatically assigned address. 




Before you can manually set the VCode’s IP address, you must connect 

to the VCode following the directions in “Connecting to the VCode with 

HyperTerminal” on page 48. 

Manually assigning 

the IP address 

To manually assign the IP address: 

1. With the HyperTerminal screen blank, press ENTER. 

The diagnostics screen for the VCode’s microprocessor opens 

showing configuration information for it’s firmware. This diagnostics 

is not the same as VCode Diagnostics.



51 

2. If necessary, use the up or down arrow key on the keyboard to select 

the IP address line. 

The selected line has a bright green label and a value with a blue 

background. The blue background indicates that the value can be 

changed. 

3. Press ENTER to delete the current IP address and type the following 

new one: 

192.168.0.x 

x is any number from 2–255 that is not already used for a device that 

will be connected on the same Ethernet network. The number 1 is 

used for the computer’s network card and cannot be used for a 

device. 

Do not use the DELETE or BACKSPACE keys. If you make a mistake, 

press ENTER again. 

!! IMPORTANT !! The first three groups of numbers in the 

IP address must be the same as those of the computer’s 

network card (192.168.0). 

4. Press ENTER to submit the change. 

If the value that you entered does not follow the correct syntax of an 

IP address, the original value will be restored. 

5. Press q (lower case) to quit the diagnostics. 

6. Press ENTER to re-enter the diagnostics, and confirm that the change 

was made to the IP address. 

7. Press q (lower case) to quit the diagnostics.

52 



!! IMPORTANT !! If you do not do this, you will not be able 

to communicate with the VCode using PlateTag or VCode 

Diagnostics over a serial connection. 

8. Select File > Exit. 

!! IMPORTANT !! If you do not close HyperTerminal 

correctly, the serial connection will remain open, preventing 

you from using another serial device on the same port, such 

as the bar code reader configuration harness. 

9. In the HyperTerminal dialog box, click Yes. 

You now have the option of saving the connection parameters so 

that you do not have to enter them the next time you want to 

connect. 

10. Click Yes in the HyperTerminal dialog box to save the parameters. 

Automatically 

assigning the 

IP address 

If your VCode has been set up with a manually assigned IP address and 

you now want to use it in a network with a DHCP server, follow the 

procedure for manually assigning the address, but enter 0 in place of the 

IP address. 



The general process for manually 

setting the VCode’s IP address 

See... 

“About manually setting the VCode’s 

IP address” on page 47



53 

Installing and starting DHCP server software 

Introduction 

Follow the procedure in this topic if you are setting up a new Ethernet 

local area network with dynamic IP addressing and have already 

connected the VCode to the computer. 



What a DHCP server 

is 

A DHCP server is a software program that dynamically assigns 

IP addresses to devices in a local area network when they are turned on. 

Once installed, the server will run as a service that starts automatically 

when you start the computer. 

The server software is included in the DHCP Server Kit from Velocity11. 

!! IMPORTANT !! You should only run one DHCP server on one 

network, so do not install the Velocity11 DHCP server if you are 

integrating the VCode into an existing network that has dynamic 

IP address assignment. 

Installation 

procedure 

Note: Because the DHCP software runs as a service, you may need 

additional privileges on the controlling computer to install it. Please 

check with your network administrator if you think you may not have 

sufficient privileges. 

To install and start the DHCP server software: 

1. Create the following directory on the controlling computer: 

C:\Program Files\Velocity11\DHCP server 

2. In Windows, navigate to the VCode CD-ROM drive. 

3. Navigate to the software > DHCP Server folder and copy all of the 

files into the new folder on your computer’s hard drive. 

4. Double-click the file named dhcpsrv.exe. 

The DHCP Server window opens. 

5. Click Yes. 

This installs the DHCP server on your computer. 

The DHCP Server window opens and displays the status as 

Running.

54 



6. Click the close box to close the window. 

Stopping and 

starting the service 

There are two ways to stop and start the server service. 

To stop and start the DHCP server from Windows: 

1. Navigate to Start > Programs > Administrative Tools > Services. 

Consult your Windows documentation for more information about 

working with services in this way. 

To stop and start the DHCP server using the DHCP server file: 

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Velocity11\DHCP server. 

2. Double-click the file named dhcpsrv.exe. 

3. Click Stop to stop the service or Start to start the service.



55 

Turning off Ethernet firewall software 

Introduction 

If you are using an Ethernet network, read this topic to learn about the 

effect of firewalls and how to turn them off. 



Firewall defined 

A firewall is a security system that protects a computer on an Ethernet 

network against external threats. 

Types of firewall 

Hardware firewalls protect computers from threats outside the local 

network. Software firewalls prevent worms from propagating on the 

internal network. 

Sources of software 

firewall 

The computer controlling the VCode may have one or more software 

firewalls running on it. There are two software firewall sources to be 

concerned with: 

❑ Windows XP operating system has a built-in firewall that may be 

turned on by default or may have been turned on by someone in 

your organization. 

❑ Your computer may be running a separate firewall program that your 

organization has purchased and installed. 

Either of these types of firewall can prevent the devices on the network 

from showing up in the Discovered BioNet Devices dialog box. 

With dynamic 

IP addressing 

If your Ethernet network is using dynamic IP addressing, the firewall may 

block the request for an IP address from the VCode when it is turned on. 

With static 

IP addressing 

If your Ethernet network is using static IP addressing, the VCode 

software sends out a request for devices on the network to identify 

themselves, but the firewall may block the response. 

About turning off 

firewalls 

To turn off the firewall for your operating system, follow the directions in 

Windows Help and Support on your computer. 

To turn off a separate firewall program, follow the directions in the 

documentation that accompanies the program. You can either uninstall 

the program or stop it. If you choose to stop it, make sure that the 

program is not configured to start up again every time you restart the 

computer.

56 



Passing data 

through the firewall 

If your organization insists that a firewall should remain on, it is possible 

to configure the firewall to allow data that is transmitted on a particular 

port to pass through. 

If you are using dynamic IP addresses the firewall should pass data 

though on UDP ports 67 and 7611. 

If you are using static IP addresses, the firewall should pass data though 

on UDP port 7611. 

For help configuring the firewall, consult an experienced network 

administrator. 

Installing VCode software 

Introduction 

After connecting the air tubing and power cable, and setting up the 

network between the computer and the VCode, you can install the 

software. 

Procedure 

The installation wizard on the VCode software CD-ROM installs both 

PlateTag and VCode Diagnostics. 

To install PlateTag and VCode Diagnostics: 

1. In Windows, navigate to the CD-ROM drive. 

2. Navigate to the software > PlateTag folder. 

3. Double-click setup.exe. 

The installation wizard opens. 

4. Follow the wizard’s instructions, selecting the Complete setup 

option.

Chapter 4: Setting up the VCode 


57 

Setting up the VCode 4 

This chapter describes how to set up the VCode ® using the diagnostics 

software. The setup includes: 

❑ Starting PlateTag 

❑ Setting profiles 

❑ Setting up the printer 

❑ Setting up the plate stage

58 



Starting PlateTag 

Introduction 

You do not need to use PlateTag to operate the VCode during the setup 

described in this chapter, but you do need to open PlateTag before you 

can open VCode Diagnostics. 

Procedure 

To start PlateTag software: 

1. In Windows ® navigate to Start > Programs or All Programs > 

Velocity11 > VCode > PlateTag. 

2. Click OK. 

PlateTag opens. 



PlateTag 

See... 

“Overview of the controlling software” 

on page 13 

Turning the VCode on and off 

Procedures 

To turn the VCode on: 

1. If it is not already on, press the 1 symbol on the on/off rocker switch 

on the printer. 

2. Press the 1 symbol on the on/off rocker switch on the applicator. 

The power status light on the printer lights solid green, the Alert and 

Empty/Pause status lights blink temporarily, and the media 

advances. 

To turn the VCode off: 

1. Press the 0 symbol on the on/off rocker switch on the applicator. 

Note: You do not need to turn the printer off.



59 

About profiles 

Introduction 

This topic gives general information about working with profiles. You 

will need to select a suitable profile every time you turn on the VCode. 

Profiles defined 

Profiles are a common feature of Velocity11 ® software. 

A profile is a saved collection of basic settings that, once set up, you are 

unlikely to want to change for a particular VCode. 

Every profile includes communication settings that associate the profile 

with a particular VCode. If you have more than one VCode on a 

network, each must have its own profile. This is how the software is able 

to communicate with a particular VCode. Communication to a VCode is 

established when its profile is opened. 

You can create, modify and delete profiles as you need to. 

Stored settings 

The settings stored in a VCode profile include: 

❑ The identity of the VCode, to differentiate it from other VCodes 

connected to your controlling computer 

❑ Whether the VCode is connected using serial or Ethernet 

❑ If the VCode is connected using Ethernet, the Device Id of the 

VCode on the network 

❑ If the VCode is connected using serial, the COM port of the VCode 

on the network 



Creating, deleting or renaming a 

profile 

Using a profile to open 

communication with a VCode 

See... 


page 79 

“Communicating with the VCode” on 

page 60

. 

60 



Communicating with the VCode 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to open communication with the VCode by 

selecting a profile. 


Before you can select a profile, PlateTag must be running. 

Default profiles 

The default installation of PlateTag includes two profiles, named: 

❑ serial 

❑ ethernet 

When you first use PlateTag, you select one of these profiles. After that, 

you can create your own profiles and use them instead. 

First use 

When you start PlateTag for the first time, the profiles list box is blank. 

You have to open VCode Diagnostics and then close it for the profiles to 

show up in the list box. 

To display the profiles in PlateTag: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to View > Diagnostics. 

2. Click Close to close VCode Diagnostics. 

3. Restart PlateTag. 

Connecting to the 

VCode 

To connect to the VCode, you select one of the profiles in PlateTag, 

according to the type of communications cable you are using. 

To connect to the VCode: 

1. In the Device Selection group box of the Print Job page of 

PlateTag, select the profile that corresponds to the type of 

connection cable you are using. 

Note: The COM port defined in the “serial” profile is COM1. If your 

VCode is connected to another COM port, use VCode Diagnostics 

to change the COM port of the “serial” profile to the correct one.



61 

Connecting 

additional VCodes 

If you want to connect more than one VCode to the computer, create an 

additional profile for each. 

Next step 

The next step is to verify the communication following the directions in 

“Starting VCode Diagnostics” on page 62. 



See... 


Connecting additional VCodes 


“Creating a profile to add a VCode” 

on page 79 


page 62

62 




Introduction 

Starting VCode Diagnostics verifies the communication connection with 

the VCode. Once open, you can test the basic VCode functions and 

complete the setup. 


Before opening VCode Diagnostics: 

❑ PlateTag must be running. 

❑ If your VCode has a bar code reader, there must be no plate on the 

plate stage. 

This is required for the test that confirms the presence of a bar code 

reader during initialization to be successful. 

Procedure 

To start VCode Diagnostics: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to View > Diagnostics. 

A connection is made to the VCode, the plate stage homes, and the 

diagnostics software opens. In addition, if you have a bar code 

reader, the red beam flashes on and off. 

These results verify that the network connection is working.



63 

Checking the basic applicator functions 

Introduction 

After installing the VCode software, you can test some of the basic 

functions of the applicator. The same functions can be used at any time 

for troubleshooting. 

Note: Some of the functions require that additional steps are taken first. 


This procedure assumes that VCode Diagnostics is already running. 

Procedure 

To test basic applicator functions: 

1. Click Continuous sensor update at the bottom of the dialog box. 

The sensors are turned on and display the current status of the 

VCode output functions. 

2. Click one of the following toggle buttons, listed in the order that they 

appear: 

Button 

Extend head/ 

Retract head 

Rotate to 

Stage/Rotate 

to Printer 

Vacuum On/ 

Vacuum Off 

Drop Stage/ 

Raise Stage 

Blowoff On/ 

Blowoff Off 

Little green 

button (on the 

applicator) 

Comments 

The applicator head is extended or retracted. 

The head retracted sensor light reflects the current 

status of the head. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Before rotating the 

head, make sure that it is retracted and that a 

short side of plate stage is facing you as you 

stand in front of the applicator. If you do not do 

this, the head will hit the stage. 

The head rotates to the plate stage or the printer. The 

head rotated to printer and head rotated to stage sensor 

lights reflect the current status of the head. 

The vacuum for the suction cups is turned on or off. 

If the vacuum is turned off when there is a label 

attached to the suction cups, the label will be retained. 

If the suction cups are pressed against a surface, such 

as a label, while the vacuum is on, the vacuum 

detected sensor light will turn on. 

Raises or lowers the plate stage. 

Starts or stops a stream of air through the suction cups. 

If the air flow is on when a label is attached to the 

suction cups, the label is pushed off. 

If a print job has been created, the green button will 

start the labelling operation. 

When the green button is pressed and held, the Little 

green button status light turns on. 

3. Check the Pressure and Label Taken readings in the Sensors group 

box.

64 



Sensor 

Pressure 

Label Taken 

Comments 

Displays the air pressure measured at the regulator. 

Displays the current label rest angle. 

The label rest angle is the angle at which the label is 

presented to the applicator head for removal from the 

media liner (label roll backing). The higher the number, 

the more vertical is the label when it is presented. If the 

sensor number is too low, the label will be presented at an 

angle that is too horizontal for the applicator head to 

remove. 



Rotating the plate stage 

Raising or lowering the plate stage 

Using the green button 

See... 

“Rotating the plate stage manually” on 

page 70 



“About print jobs and schemas” on 

page 111



65 

Viewing printer settings 

About printer setup 

Your printer was set up at the factory and you should not need to make 

any changes. However, if a problem arises, you may be asked to change 

these settings by a Velocity11 ® service engineer. 

Viewing printer 

settings 

To view the current printer settings: 

1. In VCode Diagnostics, click the Printer setup tab. 

2. Click Load Printer Settings. 

The printer settings that were saved last will appear as numbers to 

the right of the horizontal scroll bars. 

Settings description 

!! IMPORTANT !! Only change these settings if you are under 

instruction from a Velocity11 service engineer. Changing these 

settings can cause problems that are time-consuming to correct. 

The following table explains the printer settings. 

Name Description Default Value 

Top of form 

Label 

Darkness 

Skip Distance 

Decreasing the value causes the position 

of the label fields to print higher on the 

label. 

Decreasing the value makes the printed 

label a lighter color. 

Decreasing the value decreases the 

presentation height, which is the position 

of the label when the label media stops 

moving after printing. 

0 

0 

102

66 



Name Description Default Value 

Printer speed 

Decreasing the value decreases the 

printing speed. 

A higher speed can increase the 

throughput of the VCode, but the positions 

of the fields printed on the label are more 

likely to drift, in which case you may need 

to reprint the label. 

Medium 

About plate stage and head positions 

Introduction 

During operation, both the plate stage and head move to different 

positions. This topic summarizes those positions and gives the 

background information needed to complete the following procedures: 

❑ “Setting plate stage auto-repositioning” on page 68 

❑ “Setting the robot pickup angle” on page 72 

❑ “Placing a plate” on page 74 

❑ “About the vertical plate stage positions” on page 75 

Plate stage 

teachpoints 

The positions at which the plate stage stops are known as teachpoints. In 

general, a teachpoint defines a specific point in space. In the case of the 

VCode plate stage the teachpoints are defined as an angle from a 

position defined as “home”. 

There are three teachpoints: 

❑ Robot pickup angle 

❑ Apply angle 

❑ Read angle 

!! IMPORTANT !! Accurate teachpoints are essential for problemfree 

operation. 

!! IMPORTANT !! It is possible to change any plate stage 

teachpoint in VCode Diagnostics. However, the only teachpoint that 

you should consider changing is the robot apply angle. 

Applicator head 

positions 

You cannot adjust the applicator head positions yourself. 

If the applicator head is out of alignment with either the printer media or 

the plate stage, contact the Velocity11 Service Center.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 



67 

Positions summary 

The following table summarizes the positions of the plate stage and 

head at various points in a print-and-apply cycle. 

Diagram Point in Cycle Plate Stage Position Head Position 

Start 

Factory-set home 

position. 

Factory-set position 

pointing towards the 

printer 

00189 

Applicator position 2 

VCode 

00189 

00189 

00188 

UP DOWN 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

00189 


VCode 

During plate 

placing and 

pickup 

At the robot pickup 

angle teachpoint and 

one of two heights 

defined by the drop 

stage value. 

The default robot 

pickup angle value is 

0. 

Factory-set position 

pointing towards the 

printer 

As a label is 

applied 

At the apply angle 

teachpoint. 

Pointing towards the 

plate 

00190 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

00190 


VCode 

!! IMPORTANT !! 

Do not attempt to 

change this angle 

yourself. 

The default angle 

value is about 349. 

UP DOWN 

As a bar code is 

read 

At the bar code angle 

teachpoint, with the 

far side oriented 

towards an optional 

bar code reader 

mounted to the side 

of the printer. 

Pointing towards the 

printer 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

00188 

!! IMPORTANT !! 

Do not attempt to 

change this angle 

yourself. 

The default angle 

value is about 259. 

Teachpoint retention 

The teachpoints are retained when the VCode and computer are turned 

off, although they will be lost if you delete the profile used with the 

VCode.

68 





Adjusting the robot pickup angle 

The general steps in the barcoding 

process 

See... 

“Setting the robot pickup angle” on 

page 72 

“The labelling process” on page 21 

Setting plate stage auto-repositioning 

Introduction 

This topic explains plate stage auto-repositioning and shows you how to 

turn it on and off. 

About plate stage 

auto-repositioning 

Plate stage auto-repositioning is used to make it easier to set the Apply 

angle. 

With plate stage auto-repositioning turned on the VCode automatically 

turns to the last manually set angle when you: 

❑ Open VCode Diagnostics 

❑ Select a profile 

❑ Reinitialize a profile 

Default setting 

By default, plate stage auto-repositioning is turned on. 

Procedure 

To turn plate stage auto-repositioning on or off: 


PlateTag, make sure that an Ethernet-based profile is selected if you 

are connecting using Ethernet or a serial-based profile is selected if 

you are connected using serial. 

2. Select View > Diagnostics. 

The plate stage moves to the home position, then the robot pickup 

angle, and the VCode Diagnostics dialog box opens after a few 

seconds. 

3. Click the Stage setup tab. 

4. Select the Disable stage auto-repositioning check box to turn it off, 

and clear it to turn it on.



69 

Viewing the robot pickup angle 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to view the current robot pickup angle 

(teachpoint) of the plate stage. 

Reason to do this 

You may need to refer to this angle when checking its accuracy. 

Procedure 

To view the current robot pickup angle: 




you are connecting using serial. 


The plate stage moves and the VCode Diagnostics dialog box opens 

after a few seconds. 

3. Make sure that the Continuous sensor update check box at the 

bottom of the diagnostics software dialog box is selected. 

4. Look at the value for the Current stage angle in the Stage controls 

group box. 

The current angle should be the angle of the robot pickup angle.

70 



Rotating the plate stage manually 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to rotate the plate stage manually by entering a 

rotation angle in VCode Diagnostics. 


You may need to do this when setting the robot pickup angle. 

Procedure 

To move the plate stage manually: 





2. In PlateTag, select View > Diagnostics. 



3. If the applicator head is pointing towards the plate stage: 

a. Click the I/O functions tab. 

b. Click Rotate to printer. 

The head rotates towards the printer, moving it out of the plate 

stage rotation path. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Before moving the stage, make 

sure that the head is not in the way. 


5. Type in the angle in degrees to which you want the plate stage to 

move. 

The smallest increment is 0.2 degrees. 

6. Click Rotate CCW (counter-clockwise) or Rotate CW (clockwise). 

The plate stage moves by the angle you selected. 

7. Before trying a different angle, click Home Stage to return the plate 

stage to its home position. 

8. Optionally, select the Disable stage auto-repositioning check box. 

This prevents the VCode from attempting to hold the stage position. 

However, once checked, any disturbances that cause the plate stage 

to rotate will not be corrected until another move is commanded.



71 

Moving the plate stage to a teachpoint 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to move the plate stage to any of the three 

teachpoints to check its angle. 


You may need to do this when setting the robot pickup angle. 

Procedure 

To move the plate stage to a teachpoint: 













!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Before moving the stage, make 

sure that the head is not in the way. 

4. Click the Stage setup tab and make sure that Disable stage autorepositioning 

is not selected. 

5. Click the Stage Setup tab. 

6. Click Move here on the same row as the teachpoint to which you 

want to move. 

The plate stage moves to the position. 



Teachpoints 

See... 

“About plate stage and head positions” 

on page 66

72 



Setting the robot pickup angle 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to set the plate stage position for a robot or 

person to deliver or pick up a plate. 


If you are using your VCode with a BioCel ® or BenchCel ® , the correct 

robot pickup angle was set at the factory. If you are integrating your 

VCode into another company’s lab automation system, you will 

probably need to change the robot pickup angle to accommodate your 

robot’s geometry. 

!! IMPORTANT !! If you think that either the bar code angle 

teachpoint or apply angle teachpoint is set incorrectly, contact 

Velocity11. Do not try to change either of these settings yourself. 

Two methods 

There are two methods for setting the robot pickup angle. They are: 

❑ Specify an angle (clockwise from the home position) and set that as 

the teachpoint. 

❑ Manually move the plate stage to a position and set its position as 

the teachpoint. 

Method one 

To set the robot pickup angle by specifying the angle: 









4. Click Home Stage to return the plate stage to its home position, 

before trying a different angle. 

5. Enter an angle into the Robot pickup angle text box. 

6. Click Teach. 

You may need to use trial and error to set the exact angle that you want.



73 

Method two 

To set the robot pickup angle by manually moving the plate 

stage: 













c. Click the Profiles tab. 

!! DAMAGE HAZARD !! Before moving the stage, make sure 

that the head is not in the way. 


5. Make sure that Disable stage auto-repositioning is selected. 

6. Manually rotate the plate stage so that the east side of the plate faces 

the applicator head. 

7. Click the I/O functions tab and then click Rotate to Stage. 

8. Click Extend Head. 

9. Fine-tune the angle so that the applicator head is lined up with the 

plate. 

10. Click Teach here. 

11. Click Retract head. 

12. Click Rotate to Printer. 



Stage auto-repositioning 

Manually rotating the stage 

See... 

“About plate stage auto-repositioning” 

on page 68 

“Rotating the plate stage manually” on 

page 70

74 



Placing a plate 

\ 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to correctly place a plate on the plate stage. 

Procedure 

To place a plate on the plate stage: 

1. Orient the plate so that the A1 well is in the far left corner, matching 

the A1 label on the plate stage. 

A1 well 

00143 

VCode 

placing plate 

North 

West 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

M 

N 

O 

P 

East 

South 

00143 

2. Carefully lower the plate onto the stage, making sure that the plate 

lies flat.



75 

About the vertical plate stage positions 

Introduction 

This topic gives general information about the vertical plate stage 

positions. 

When to change the 

vertical plate stage 

position 

Different types of plates can have different skirt heights. Without a height 

accommodation, a label positioned optimally in the vertical dimension 

on one plate will be either too high or too low on a plate that has a 

significantly different skirt height. 

To accommodate different skirt heights, the plate stage has two vertical 

positions, top and bottom. You set the heights of these positions 

mechanically. You can also specify whether the top or bottom position is 

used to label a specific plate. This is done in PlateTag through the value 

of the drop stage field. 

Before labelling a plate, the plate stage moves to the vertical position 

specified by the drop stage field. 

For shallow plates it is best to keep the stage in the top position. For 

deepwell plates, you may have to drop the stage to the bottom position. 

If you are using both types of plate, use a different position for each. 

Plate spacer 

If you are using a plate with a very short skirt, so that even at the highest 

stage position the labels are applied too high up, you can use a plate 

spacer. For more information, contact Velocity11. 

Using plates of the 

same height 

If all of the plates that you intend to use have the same skirt height, you 

might want to set the top and bottom positions to the same height. By 

doing this: 

❑ You can avoid problems caused by accidentally changing the drop 

stage value in VCode Diagnostics. 

❑ You can establish if one of the stage height positions has drifted. 

If there is any vertical movement in the stage when you use the drop 

stage command, drifting has occurred. 



Viewing the drop stage position in 


Setting the vertical position of the 

plate stage 

The drop stage field 

Setting the drop stage value when 

creating a schema 

See... 

“Checking the basic applicator 

functions” on page 63 

“Setting the heights of the plate stage 


“About label formats and the label 

editor” on page 84 

“Setting the drop stage value” on 

page 132

76 



Setting the heights of the plate stage positions 

Introduction 

The plate stage has two vertical positions, top and bottom. This topic 

explains how to set the actual heights of these positions mechanically. 

For general information, see “About the vertical plate stage positions” on 

page 75. 


To set the height of the top or bottom plate stage position you will need 

a 2.5-mm allen wrench. 

Principle of the 

adjustment 

The top and bottom heights of the plate stage are determined by 

mechanical stops that you position by turning set screws located near 

the plate stage. 

The set screw labelled UP is used to set the top position and the set 

screw labelled DOWN is used to set the bottom position. 

Procedures 

The procedures for setting the top and bottom positions are given 

separately. 

To set the top position of the stage: 

1. Locate the adjustment set screws on the applicator. 

UP 

DOWN 

Set screw 

00172 

2. Open VCode Diagnostics. 


4. Make sure that Disable stage auto-repositioning is not selected. 

5. Move the stage to the apply angle teachpoint. 

6. Place the plate that you want to use on the stage. 

7. If necessary, click Raise Stage on the I/O Fuctions tab of VCode 

Diagnostistics to move the stage to the top position. 

8. Rotate the head so that it faces the plate. 

9. Click Extend Head to extend the head.



77 

10. Examine the alignment between the suction cups and the side of the 

plate. 

Your goal is to align the top edges of the suction cups with the top 

edge of the plate. 

11. Click Extend Head to retract the head. 

12. Insert the 2.5-mm allen wrench into the left-hand set screw labelled 

UP and turn counter-clockwise to raise the stage or clockwise to 

lower the stage. 

UP 

DOWN 

00173 

Test the alignment by extending and retracting the head and 

repeating the adjustment as necessary. 

13. Apply a label manually to see where it is positioned on the plate, 

and make adjustments as necessary. 

To set the bottom position of the stage: 

1. Make sure that the stage is positioned at the apply angle teachpoint. 

2. Place the plate that you want to use on the stage. 

3. If necessary, click Drop Stage on the I/O Fuctions tab of VCode 

Diagnostistics to move the stage to the bottom position. 

4. Drop Stage on the I/O Fuctions tab of the diagnostistics software to 

confirm that the stage is in the lower of the two positions. 

5. Rotate the head so that it faces the plate. 

6. Click Extend Head to extend the head. 

7. Examine the alignment between the suction cups and the side of the 

plate. 

Your goal is to align the top edges of the suction cups with the top 

edge of the plate. 

8. Click Extend Head to retract the head.

78 



9. Insert the allen wrench into the right-hand set screw labelled DOWN 

and turn clockwise to raise the stage and counter-clockwise to lower 

the stage. 

Raise or lower the stage with the goal of aligning the top edges of the 

suction cups with the top edge of the plate. 

10. Test the alignment by extending the suction cups, and repeat the 

adjustment as necessary. 

11. When you think the adjustment is correct, click Rotate head to 

return the head to face the printer. 

12. Click the Stage setup tab and click Home Stage to home the plate 

stage. 

13. Applying a label manually to see where it is positioned on the plate, 

and make adjustments as necessary.



79 

Creating a profile to add a VCode 

Introduction 

Every VCode on a network requires a profile. The provided “serial” or 

“ethernet” profile can be used for the first VCode, but for each 

additional VCode you will need to create an additional profile. This is 

true whether the VCodes are controlled by PlateTag , VWorks or 

BenchWorks . 

This topic explains how to create a profile, and when to make the 

physical connection to the network. 

Adding VCodes to 

another company’s 

system 

If you are using another company’s lab automation system and want to 

set up additional VCodes, discuss this option with your system’s design 

engineers. Profiles are features of Velocity11 software and may not have 

an exact equivalent in another company’s system. 

About the Select a 

profile list box 

When working with profiles, you use the Select a profile list box. It is 

important to note that the profile displayed in the list box is unrelated to 

the profile that is currently being used to communicate with a VCode. 

This is a common cause of confusion. 

For example, to have a successful serial connection to a VCode the 

value in the list box does not have to be the default “serial” profile or 

any other serial profile that you have created. It could be the default 

“ethernet” profile. The value bears no relation to the current 

connection. 

The value in the Select a profile list box only has meaning at the time a 

profile is created, renamed, deleted, or selected. At these times, the list 

box associates a particular VCode (through the COM port number or 

IP address) with a profile. 

Creating and 

initializing a profile 

To create a profile: 

1. In the Device Selection group box of PlateTag, make sure that an 

Ethernet-based profile is selected if you are connecting using 

Ethernet or a serial-based profile is selected if you are connecting 

using serial. 


The VCode Diagnostics dialog box opens after a few seconds and 

the plate stage moves. 

3. Click the Profiles tab. 

4. Click Create new profile. 

The text New profile #x appears in the list box.

80 



5. Replace the text with a name of your choice. 

6. Click Rename profile. 

7. Connect the additional VCode to the network using a serial cable, or 

one or more Ethernet cables. 

To initialize the communication: 

1. Click Use this profile for diagnostics. 

The plate stage homes. 

It is not until you use this button that the profile is active. 

2. Click Close to close the diagnostics software. 

Note: You can also click Reinitialize selected VCode profile, which 

performs the same function. 



Renaming and deleting profiles, 

and selecting a different profile 

See... 

“Working with existing profiles” on 

page 81



81 

Working with existing profiles 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to work with profiles that have already been 

created. It describes how to: 

❑ Rename a profile 

❑ Delete a profile 

❑ Select a different profile to allow you to communicate with a 

different VCode 

Renaming a profile 

To rename a profile: 




using serial. 


The VCode Diagnostics dialog box opens after a few seconds. 


4. Select the profile in the Select a profile list box and rename it. 

The Update Profile button is changed to read Rename Profile. 

5. Click Rename Profile. 

6. Click Update Profile to save the changes to the profile. 

Deleting a profile 

To delete a profile: 




using serial. 


The VCode Diagnostics dialog box opens after a few seconds. 


4. Select the profile you wish to delete from the Select a profile list 

box. 

5. Click Delete profile. 

6. Click Close to close the diagnostics software.

82 



Selecting a profile 

You can select a profile that has already been created. You would do this 

if you have more than one VCode on the network and you want to open 

a connection to a different VCode. 

To select a profile: 




using serial. 


The plate stage moves to the home position and the VCode 

Diagnostics dialog box opens after a few seconds. 


4. If you are connecting with a serial communications cable: 

a. Select Serial from the Select a profile list box. 

b. Select the This VCode is connected on button, and from the list 

box select the COM port to which you connected the serial 

cable. 

5. If you are connecting with an Ethernet communications cable: 

a. Click Select VCode. 

The BioNet Devices Discovered screen opens. 

b. If you have more than one network card in your computer, make 

sure that it is selected in the Select the Ethernet adapter... list 

box. 

c. Select the VCode with which you want to communicate.. 

d. Click OK. 



Creating a profile 

The Select a profile list box 

See... 


page 79 

“About the Select a profile list box” on 

page 79

Chapter 5: Creating label formats for printing 


83 

5 

Creating label formats 

for printing 

This chapter describes how to: 

❑ Create a label format 

❑ Run a print test to check the format

84 



About label formats and the label editor 

Introduction 

Label formats and the label editor are defined and described in “Bar 

code terminology” on page 18. This topic provides additional 

information needed to successfully work with label formats in 

PlateTag . 

Label format storage 

and uploading 

For a label format to be used to print a label, it must be stored in the 

printer. The printer can store up to 19 formats, numbered 1–19. 

If the format you want to use is not currently stored in the printer, you 

will have to upload it to the printer. 

Label formats can also be stored on a drive, such as a computer hard 

drive or CD-ROM. However, before you can use a format stored on a 

drive, you must first load it into PlateTag and then upload it to the 

printer. 

Current format field 

You should be clear about the meaning of the current format list box in 

the label editor of PlateTag, which is sometimes misunderstood. 

The current format does not indicate the format of the label that is 

currently displayed in the Label Editor group box. It shows the format 

that will be affected if you click one of the following four buttons at the 

bottom of the label editor: 

❑ Save format to disk 

❑ Load format from disk 

❑ Upload format to printer 

❑ Print test label 

Label field data and 

label editor group 

boxes 

There are two large group boxes on the Label editor page of PlateTag. 

The Label Field Data group box displays the data used for each field on 

the label. The Label Editor group box allows you to drag fields around 

and preview where fields will be printed on the actual label.



85 

X and Y fields The X and Y columns in the Label Field Data group box contain the x- 

and y-coordinates of the top, left corner of each field as it is positioned 

in the Label Editor group box. When the format is uploaded to the 

printer, the software transfers these coordinates to printer label 

coordinates. 

Label field data 

The Label field data includes the columns listed in the following table. 

Most of the data appears automatically when creating a format. 

Parameter 

Index 

Field Type 

Value 

Format 

X 

Description 

The number of the field. 

!! IMPORTANT !! Field 1 must be a text field. 

Text, Barcode, or Bitmap. 

Note: Bitmap is not currently supported. 

The value of the present field. 

If the field is a text field, the value is the actual text that will 

be printed during a test print in VCode Diagnostics. If the 

field is a bar code field, the value is the actual text that is 

encoded into the bar code for a test print in VCode 

Diagnostics. 

Note: This data is not used during a production labelling 

run through PlateTag. 

Assigns the text font or bar code symbology, depending on 

whether the field is a text field or a bar code field. 

The x-coordinate of the top, left corner of the field as 

positioned in the printer.

86 



Parameter 

Y 

H Mag 

V Mag 

Description 

The y-coordinate of the top, left corner of the field as 

positioned in the printer. 

The horizontal magnification of the field (width). 

The vertical magnification of the field (height). 



Determining the X and Y values 

Changing the magnification of a 

field 

See... 

“Positioning a field on the label” on 

page 94 

“Changing the size of a field on the 

label” on page 95 

Loading a format from the printer “Loading label formats” on page 88



87 

Workflow for designing a label format 

Introduction 

This topic describes the overall workflow for designing a new label 

format and making it available for use. 

Workflow 

Step Process See... 

1 Load an unused format or blank format 

into the label editor. 

You start with an existing label format. 

2 Optionally delete unneeded fields or 

clear the whole label. 

3 Add a field in the Label Editor group box 

of the VCode Diagnostics dialog box. 

“Loading label formats” 

on page 88. 

“Removing unneeded 

label format data” on 

page 89. 

“Adding a label format 

field” on page 90. 

4 Change the field’s value. “Defining the value of a 

label format field” on 

page 91. 

5 Change the field’s format. “Changing the field 

format” on page 92. 

6 Change the field’s position. “Positioning a field on 

the label” on page 94. 

7 Change the field’s size. “Changing the size of a 

field on the label” on 

page 95. 

8 Repeat step 3 through step 5 for the other Not applicable. 

fields you want to add to the label. 

9 Upload the new format to the printer. “Uploading and saving a 

label format” on page 98. 

10 Optionally, save the new format to a 

computer storage drive. 

“Uploading and saving a 

label format” on page 98.

88 



Loading label formats 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to open the label editor and load a label 

format into the label editor. These are basic procedures that you will 

need to use regularly when working with label formats. 

Opening the label 

editor 

The label editor is where you create and edit label formats. 

To open the label editor: 

1. In PlateTag, make sure that the profile of the VCode ® that you want 

to communicate with is selected in the Device Selection group box. 

2. Navigate to View > Diagnostics. 

VCode Diagnostics opens. 

3. Click the Label editor tab. 

Loading a format 

from the computer 

If you want to view or edit a label format that is saved to a computer 

storage drive, you can load it into the label editor. 

To load a saved format: 

1. In VCode Diagnostics, click Load format from disk. 

2. Navigate to the location of the stored file and click Open. 

The format data appears in the label editor. 

Loading a format 

from the printer 

If you want to view or edit a label format that is saved in the printer, you 

can load it into the label editor. 

To load a format from the printer: 

1. In the Current format list box on the Label editor page, select the 

format that you want to load from the printer and click Load from 

printer. 

The format data appears in the label editor. 

Next step 

The next step in the workflow for designing and using a new label format 

is “Removing unneeded label format data” on page 89.



89 



Label format storage 

The overall process of designing a 

label format 

See... 

“Label format storage and uploading” 

on page 84 

“Workflow for designing a label format” 

on page 87 

Removing unneeded label format data 

Introduction 

During the label design process, after loading a label format into the 

label editor, you may want to delete one or more fields or clear the label 

entirely. 

Deleting a field 

To delete a field: 

1. Select the row corresponding to the field in the Label Field Data 

group box. 

2. Right-click in the white space of the Label Editor group box, and 

select Delete field. 

Clearing a label 

To clear a label of its contents: 

1. Right-click in the white space of the Label Editor group box. 

2. Select Clear label. 

All of the data in the label editor disappears. 

Next step 


is “Adding a label format field” on page 90. 




label format 

See... 


on page 87

90 



Adding a label format field 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to add a field to a label format. You do this 

when creating a new label format. 

Field requirements 

A label format can have up to six fields. 

Field 1 must be a text field. 

Procedure 

To add a field to a label format: 

1. Right-click on the white space in the Label Editor group box. 

2. From the drop-down list, select either Insert text or Insert bar code. 

Once you have added the field, a row in the Label Field Data group 

box is filled with data. 

Next step 


is “Defining the value of a label format field” on page 91. 




label format 

See... 


on page 87



91 

Defining the value of a label format field 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to define the value of a field in a label format. 

You do this when creating a new label format. 

About the Value 

parameter 

A field’s Value parameter determines one of the following: 

❑ The text that is printed on the label, in the case of a text field 

❑ The text that is encoded into a bar code, in the case of a bar code 

field 

It is important to note that a field’s value is only used when performing a 

test print in VCode Diagnostics. When you are performing a batch run 

using a print job, the value of each field comes from the data sources 

that you select for the job. 

Procedure 

To define a field’s Value: 

1. Click a row in the Label Field Data group box to select it. 

2. Click the text of the field in the Value column. 

The current name of the field is highlighted. 

3. Replace the text with text of your choice. 

!! IMPORTANT !! Type text that is about the same length as 

the text that will be used in production labelling. This will 

give you a more realistic preview in the label editor and allow 

you to optimize the spacing and size of your fields. 

4. Click in a blank area of the Label Field Data group box to make the 

change. 

The text in the Text Editor group box also changes. 

Next step 


is “Changing the field format” on page 92.

92 





See... 

The Value parameter “Label field data” on page 85 


label format 


on page 87 

Changing the field format 

Introduction 

New bar code label formats are created from existing ones, and 

typically, one or more of the field formats will need to be changed. 

This topic describes how to change the format of a field in a bar code 

label format. 


Before you start: 

❑ Open VCode Diagnostics. 

❑ Understand the distinction between the terms “field format” and 

“bar code label format”, as made in “Label formats and label format 

files” on page 19. 

❑ For bar code fields, make sure that the field format (symbology) you 

choose supports all of the characters in your field’s data. 

This will require some independent research into the specifications 

of the symbology. 

❑ For bar code fields, make sure that if you are using a bar code 

reader, the field format (symbology) you choose can be read by 

your bar code reader. 

Procedure 

To change the format for a field: 

1. In the Label Field Data window of the VCode Diagnostics dialog 

box, click the name of the format that you want to change. 

The row is highlighted. 

2. Click the name of the format once more. 

A list box control appears. 

3. From the list box, select the font or symbology.



93 

Next step 


is “Positioning a field on the label” on page 94. 



The symbologies that can be read 

by a bar code reader 


label format 

Opening VCode Diagnostics 

See... 

“About changing the reader’s label 

formats” on page 150 


on page 87 


page 62

94 



Positioning a field on the label 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to move a field to the position in which you 

want it to be printed on the label. 

You position the field in the label editor, and the position is transferred 

to the printer. 

About the position 

coordinates 

The origin of the printer’s dot scale is at the bottom left of the label, just 

like the origin of a typical line graph. 

y-axis 

Field1 

Field2 

Field3 

0, 0 

x-axis 

An X-value of 100 means that the left edge of the printed field will be 

printed 100 ink dots from the left side of the label. A Y-value of 100 

means that the top edge of the printed field will be printed 100 ink dots 

from the bottom of the label. The printer prints approximately 400 dots 

per inch. 

When you download a label format from the printer, some fields 

displayed in the Label Editor group box may shift position slightly. This 

does not affect the format stored in the printer or the printed output. 


Before you can perform this procedure, VCode Diagnostics must be 

open. 

Procedure 

To position a field on the label: 

1. Click the text or bar code in the Label Editor group box and drag it 

to the appropriate position on the label. 

To position it more accurately you can change the values for the X 

and Y coordinates directly in the Label Field Data group box. 

Next step 


is “Changing the size of a field on the label” on page 95.



95 




label format 


How the label editor works and an 

introduction to X and Y values 

See... 


on page 87 


page 62 



Changing the size of a field on the label 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to alter the size of a printed text or bar code 

field. You do this when designing a label format. You might increase the 

size of a text field to make it easier to read. You might decrease the size 

of a bar code or text field to fit more data on a label. 

Magnification 

dimensions 

You specify separately the magnification in the horizontal (x) and 

vertical (y) dimensions. 

Bar code 

magnification 

You can magnify a bar code field by any amount, but: 

❑ If the magnification is too great, the bar code will not fit on the label 

❑ If the magnification is too small, you may not see a bar code printed 

on the label at all, or you may just see a thin line of dots and dashes. 

Good values to start with are 2 in the horizontal dimension and 50 in the 

vertical dimension. 

Text magnification 

In a text field, different fonts can be magnified by different amounts. 

Often, the magnification limit is different for the horizontal and vertical 

dimensions. 


Before you can perform this procedure, VCode Diagnostics must be 

open. 

Procedure 

To change the magnification of a field: 

1. In the Label Field Data group box, click on the H Mag or V Mag 

number for the field. 

The row is highlighted. 

2. Click on the number once more. 

The value can now be edited.

96 



3. Type the new number for the H Mag or V Mag value. 

This number must be an integer. The allowed range depends on the 

font you are using, according to the following table. 

Font V Mag Range H Mag Range 

7x9 Standard 1–8 1–5 

7x11 OCR 1–8 1–5 

10x14 Standard 1–5 1–3 

5x7 Standard 1–10 1–5 

8pt Mono 1–5 1 only 



OCR A 1–3 1 only 

OCR B Size 2 1–3 1 only 

Swiss Mono 721 Standard 10–100 10–40 

Swiss Mono 721 Bold 10–100 10–40 

Dutch Roman 801 10–130 10–40 

6pt Monospace Bold 1–5 1–2 

8pt Monospace Bold 1–5 1–2 

10pt Monospace 

1–4 1 only 

Standard 

10pt Monospace Bold 1–4 1 only 



1–2 1 only 

Standard 


20pt Monospace Bold 1 only 1 only 


1 only 1 only 

Standard 



36pt Monospace Bold 1 only 1 only



97 

Magnification and 

position 

If after increasing the magnification or size of the font a field does not 

print, check where the field is positioned on the label. The field may 

now be positioned off the edge of the label. 

As the magnification and size of the font increases, the Y-value in the 

label format must increase for you to be able to see it. 

Next step 


is “Uploading and saving a label format” on page 98. 

After uploading the label format, make sure that you test the format 

before using it for a batch run. 

!! IMPORTANT !! The printer does not always scale bar codes and 

fonts consistently. If you change a text field’s magnification, always 

perform a test print to make sure that you can still read the text. If 

you change a bar code field’s magnification, perform a test read of 

the bar code. 




bar code label format 


Performing a test print 

Performing a test bar code read 

See... 


on page 87 


page 62 

“About test printing and applying” on 

page 99 

“Testing the reader using VCode 

Diagnostics” on page 147

98 



Uploading and saving a label format 

Introduction 

Once you have created or edited a label format, you must upload it to 

the printer before it can be used. You might also want to save it to a 

storage drive, especially as label formats can be accidently overwritten. 


Before you can perform these procedures, VCode Diagnostics must be 

open. 

Uploading a format 

To upload a format to the printer: 

1. In the Label Editor tab of VCode Diagnostics, click Upload format 

to printer. 

Saving a format 

To save a format to a storage drive: 

1. In the Label Editor tab of VCode Diagnostics, click Save format to 

disk. 

2. Navigate to the drive location in which you want to store the file and 

click Save. 

Next step 


is “About test printing and applying” on page 99. 




label format 


See... 


on page 87 


page 62



99 

About test printing and applying 

Introduction 

There are several different ways to perform a test print of a label. This 

topic helps you to choose between them. 

When to do a test 

print 

Perform a test print when first setting up your VCode, after creating a 

new format, or when troubleshooting printing problems. 

Testing will allow you to correct problems such as: 

❑ Overlapping fields 

❑ Bar codes that are too large for the label 

❑ Missing bar codes, caused by magnification values that are too small 

❑ Text fields that are too small to read 

Test printing and 

print jobs 

The settings that you use for test printing have no impact on the settings 

that define bar code labels when running a print job. 

Printing options 

You can perform test prints from two locations in VCode Diagnostics: 

the Label Editor tab and the Testing tab. 

If you want to test print... 

One label that uses the formats 

currently specified in the label editor, 

and do not want to apply the label to 

a plate. 

(This is the best option to use at the 

time you create a label format.) 

One or more identical labels, using 

any format stored in the printer, and 

do not want to apply the labels to a 

plate. 

One or more identical labels, using 

any format stored in the printer, and 

want to apply them to specified sides 

of one or more plates. 

Each printed label is the same as 

every other because you can only 

define one set of fields for the test. 

A batch of different labels, using any 

format stored in the printer, and want 

to apply them to specified sides of 

one or more plates. 

Then... 

Print from the Label Editor tab. 

See “Printing one label from the 

Label Editor page” on page 100. 

Print from the Testing tab. 

See “Printing one label from the 

Testing page” on page 101. 

Print and apply from the Testing tab. 

See “Printing and applying multiple 

labels to a plate” on page 103. 

Create a schema and run a print job 

in PlateTag. 

See “Running a print job” on 

page 107.

100 



Printing one label from the Label Editor page 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to perform a test print of a single label from the 

label editor of VCode Diagnostics. You cannot apply the label to a plate 

using this procedure. 

Procedure 

To print a label from the Label Editor tab: 


2. Click the Label Editor tab. 

3. Either: 

Load a label format from the printer 

Load a label format from the computer and upload it to the 

printer 

Create a label format and upload it to the printer 

4. To change the text or bar code that will be printed: 

a. Click a row in the Value field and click again to allow you to edit 

it. 

b. Type in the text that you want to print or be encoded to a bar 

code. 

Note: Field data entered into VCode Diagnostics is temporarily 

stored in the computer and not the printer, so it can only be 

used for testing purposes. 

c. Click in the white space below the rows of data. 

5. Click Print test label. 

The label is printed. 



Different ways to perform a test 

print 


Loading a label format from the 

printer 


computer 

See... 


page 99 


page 62 

“Loading a format from the printer” on 

page 88) 

“Loading a format from the computer” 

on page 88



101 

Printing one label from the Testing page 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to print a single label from the Testing page of 

VCode Diagnostics. 

Procedure 

To print one label from the Testing tab: 


2. If the label format that you want to print is not currently loaded into 

memory, load it from either the printer or file. 

3. Click the Testing tab. 

4. In the Format list box, select the format currently contained in the 

printer that you want to use for this test. 

5. In one of the fields of the Label Data group box, type the text that 

you want to appear on the label in that field position. 

The following example shows the text “Test Label” printed in Field 2. 

Note: Only the fields defined in the label format can be edited. 

Fields that are defined in the label format as bar code fields will be 

encoded into a bar code before printing. 


stored in the computer and not the printer, so it can only be used 

for testing purposes. 

6. In the Testing Options group box, select Print only. 

7. Set the value in the Number of cycles list box to 1. 

8. Click Run test or press the green button. 

The label is printed.

102 






print 



printer 


computer 

See... 


page 99 


page 62 


page 88 


on page 88 

Placing a plate on the plate stage “Placing a plate” on page 74



103 

Printing and applying multiple labels to a plate 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to use the Testing tab of VCode Diagnostics to 

print more than one identical label and apply them to one plate. 

Procedure 

To print and apply more than one label to one plate: 





4. In the Format list box, select the format currently contained in the 

printer that you want to use for this test. 

5. In the Label Data group box, type the text that you want to appear 

on the label. 




stored in the computer and not the printer, so it can only be used 

for testing purposes. 

6. In the Testing Options group box, select Print and apply. 

7. Select the compass points corresponding to one or more sides that 

you want to apply labels to, for example North and West. 

8. Make sure that the height of the plate stage is suitable for the type of 

plate to which you plan to apply labels. 

9. Set the value in the Number of cycles list box to 1. 


The labels are printed and applied to the plate. 




print 



printer 


computer 

See... 


page 99 


page 62 


page 88 


on page 88 

Placing a plate on the plate stage “Placing a plate” on page 74 

Setting the height of the plate stage 


positions” on page 75

104 



Printing and applying identical labels to a batch 

of plates 

Introduction 

This topic describes how use the Testing tab of VCode Diagnostics to 

print more than one identical label and apply them to a batch of plates. 

Procedure 

To print and apply identical labels to a batch of plates: 





4. In the Label Data group box, type the text that you want to appear 

on the label. 



Note: Field data entered into VCode Diagnostics is only 

temporarily stored in memory and can therefore only be used for 

testing purposes. 

5. In the Testing Options group box, select Print and apply. 

6. Select the compass points corresponding to one or more sides that 

you want to apply labels to, for example North and West. 

7. Make sure that the height of the plate stage is suitable for the type of 

plate to which you plan to apply labels. 

8. Set the value in the Number of cycles list box to the number of 

plates you want to label. 

9. Prepare a stack of plates to label. 

10. Place the first plate on the plate stage. 


The first label is printed and applied to the plate. 

12. After the first label is printed, replace the plate on the stage with a 

new one, and continue in this manner until all plates have been 

labeled. 

Note: If the plate is not placed on the plate stage quickly enough, 

the label will stay on the suction cups, which will cause 

problems.



105 




print 



printer 


computer 

See... 


page 99 


page 62 


page 88 


on page 88 

Placing a plate on the plate stage “Placing a plate” on page 74 

Setting the height of the plate stage 


positions” on page 75

106 



Chapter 6: Running a print job 


107 

Running a print job 6 

This chapter explains how to use PlateTag to set up a print job to label a 

batch of plates, where the labels can be different from plate to plate. 

Using PlateTag, a batch run is a manual labelling process. You place a 

plate on the plate stage, press the green button, wait for the plate to be 

labelled, remove it and then repeat the cycle. 

If you are preparing to perform an automated batch labelling run using a 

BioCel ® or BenchCel ® , you do not need to read this chapter. Refer 

instead to the BioCel User Guide or BenchCel User Guide. If you are 

preparing to perform an automated batch labelling run using another 

company’s system, refer to the documents that accompany that system.

108 



Batch labelling workflow 

About the workflow 

If you are responsible for setting up batch labelling and you are starting 

from the beginning, you will need to follow the workflow in the 

following table. 

Some of the steps refer to topics in previous chapters. 


This workflow assumes that the VCode ® is completely installed and 

ready to use. 

Workflow 

Step Process See... 

1 Start PlateTag. “Starting PlateTag” on 

page 58 

2 Optionally change the locations of 

stored files. 

3 Optionally create a data source to 

specify the contents of the labels to be 

printed. 

Note: If you do not use a data source, 

you can specify the contents when 

defining a schema, using constants, 

counters and clones. 

“Setting the locations of 

stored files” on page 109 

“About data sources” on 

page 114 

4 Create a label format. “Workflow for designing a 

label format” on page 87 

5 Make sure that the label format is 

stored in the printer. 

“Saving a format” on 

page 98 

6 Define a schema that uses the format. “Creating a schema” on 

page 125 

7 Define and save a print job in PlateTag. “Creating a print job” on 

page 133 

8 Start the print job. “Starting a production 

labelling run” on page 135



109 

Setting the locations of stored files 

Introduction 

PlateTag saves information in XML files and text files stored in folders of 

your choice. The default storage location is in the default VCode 

installation folder: C:\\Program Files\Velocity11\VCode. 

If you want to store the information on a networked file server or other 

storage disk, you can change the location. 

We may ask you to send one or more of these files if we are helping you 

to troubleshoot a problem. 


This procedure assumes that PlateTag is already open. 

Procedure 

For each type of information, there is one XML file or text file. Even if you 

define three schemas, all the information will be saved in one schema 

XML file. 

To set the location of a stored file: 

1. In PlateTag, select Edit > Preferences. 

The PlateTag Preferences dialog box opens. 

2. Click the ellipsis button next to one of the saved files. 

3. In the browser dialog box, navigate to the folder in which you want 

to save the file, and click Open. 

4. Click OK to close the PlateTag Preferences dialog box.

110 





Schemas 

See... 


page 111 

Constants “Creating a constant” on page 119 

Counters “Creating a counter” on page 121 

Bar code clones “Cloning a bar code” on page 123



111 

About print jobs and schemas 

Introduction 

You can use VCode Diagnostics to perform simple labelling operations, 

but for production labelling of plates you use PlateTag. 

This topic relates together the concepts that you must understand to be 

able to use PlateTag. 

Print jobs 

In PlateTag, setting up a print job allows you to apply labels that are 

different from: 

❑ Plate to plate 

❑ One side of a plate to another 

A print job uses one schema for each side of the plate that you want to 

label. 

Schemas 

A schema is a collection of information that includes: 

❑ The label format to use 

❑ The vertical position of the stage during the labelling operation 

❑ A general definition of each field in the label 

Each schema is given its own name. 

Field definitions 

In the schema, the general definition of each bar code field includes: 

❑ The data type for the field 

❑ The name of a variable that holds the actual data that goes into the 

field 

Data type 

A field’s data type is one of the following: 

Data type 

Data Source 

Constants 

Counters 

Clones 

Description 

An external file from which PlateTag can import 

field data 

A constant, the value of which remains the same 

for each label 

A counter, the value of which changes in a 

regular way with each label 

A value copied from another side of the plate 

Variable name 

A schema does not contain the actual data that is printed on a bar code. 

A schema contains the name of a variable that holds the actual data.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

112 



For example, to use a data type of Counters, the counter first has to be 

created and given a name. The counter’s name (variable name) is then 

referenced by the schema. 

Summary diagram 

and description 

Diagram 

The following diagram summarizes these concepts and shows the flow 

of information from variables to schemas, to a print job and finally to bar 

code labels. 

Schema one 

Attribute Data type Variable name 

field 1 CSV Column1 

Print Job 

N 

E 

S 

W 

Print job defines: 

• Compiles schemas 

• Initiates print job 

Schema one 

Schema one 

Schema two 

field 2 CSV Column2 

field 3 

field 4 Constants Lab Name 

field 5 Counters My Counter 

field 6 

Label format Constants Label format 3 

Drop stage 1 Constants Drop stage top 

MyCounter 

Counter Value Base Initial Value Increment Interval 

0001 36 test 1 1 

Schema two 

Attribute Data type Variable name 

Date 

field 1 Counters My Counter 

field 2 Constants Date 

field 3 Excel Field3 

field 4 Excel Field4 

field 5 

field 6 

Label format Constants Label format 4 

Drop stage 1 Constants Drop stage top 

Constant Value 

Sept.06 

Schema defines: 

• Bar code field contents 

• Label format 

• Vertical stage position 

Description 

The diagram shows how the content is determined for both of the 

following: 

❑ Field 5 of the label printed on the north side of the plate 

❑ Field 2 of the label printed on the south side of the plate 

The Print Job box on the left shows that labels printed on the north and 

east sides of the plate are determined by Schema one and that labels 

printed on the south side of the plate are determined by Schema two. 

In the Schema one box, you can see that field 5 has been given the 

variable name “My Counter”. The variable “My Counter” is defined as: 

❑ Starting at 0001 (Counter Value) 

Note: This is a simple counter with no prefix or suffix. 

❑ Incremented by one each label (Increment) 

❑ Prefixed by the word “test” (Initial Value) 

❑ Incremented after the first plate (Interval) 

❑ Incremented with the alphanumeric series 1–Z (Base)



113 

The bar code labels will therefore read test0001, test0002, test0003, and 

so on. 

The Schema one box also shows that the label uses label format 3. You 

could examine label format 3 in the label editor of VCode Diagnostics to 

see which fields are text fields and which field is a bar code field. The 

plate stage will be at the top position when these labels are printed as 

the Drop stage position has the value Drop stage top. 

In the Schema two box, you can see that field 2 is a constant that has 

been given the variable name Date. The value of the constant is 

“Sept.06.” The Schema two box also shows that the label uses label 

format 4. 

The plate stage will be at the top position when the labels defined by 

schema two are printed as the Drop stage position has the value Drop 

stage top. 

Note: The plate stage position should be the same for all schemas in a 

print job because the position is dependent on the height of the plate, 

which is the same for all sides. 

Label format and 

schema fields 

It is important to understand the relationship between label format 

fields and schema fields. For a field to be printed on a label, it must be 

defined in both the schema and the bar code label format. 

Suppose, for example, that in a schema you have specified label 

format 4 and defined fields 1, 2, 3 and 4. If label format 4 has fields 1, 2, 3 

and 4 defined in it, all four fields will print on the label. However, if label 

format 4 only has fields 1, 2 and 3 defined in it, only these first three 

fields will be printed. 

PlateTag will not issue an error message if there is a discrepancy 

between the number of fields in your label format and the number of 

fields in your schema. 



Label formats 

See... 



Creating a counter “Creating a counter” on page 121

114 



About data sources 

Introduction 

This topic defines a data source, describes the advantages of using a 

data source, lists the available types, and discusses a limitation to their 

use. 

Data source defined 

A data source is any external file from which PlateTag can import the 

field data that governs the text and bar codes to print on a bar code 

label, as well as the label format and drop stage setting. 

Data source use 

The use of a data source is optional. You can instead define the data to 

print on a bar code using counters, constants, and clones. Either way, 

you set the source of the bar code data when creating a schema. 

Some advantages of using a data source are that: 

❑ They can be stored permanently in a format that is easily edited 

❑ They can use values that have no sequence pattern 

❑ They are easily re-used or modified 

❑ Can be automatically generated by a LIMS (Lab Information 

Management System) 

Before creating a 

data source 

You reference a data source in PlateTag at the time you create a schema. 

You must create the data source before the schema, but it will help you 

to understand data source creation if you already understand schemas. 

For this reason, we recommend that you review the information about 

schemas in this guide about before you create a data source. 

Types of data source 

PlateTag can read data from: 

❑ Comma-separated value files (CSV). 

❑ Tab-separated text files (TXT). 

❑ Excel files. 

Note: The file must be created using Excel 2002. You cannot 

create the file with a later version and then save it as an 

Excel 2002 format, because the original and converted formats 

are not identical. 

❑ Online databases using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). 

Note: Setting up an online database is a specialized procedure 

that is not covered in this version of the VCode User Manual. For 

information about using PlateTag with an online database, please 

call the Velocity11 Service Center.



115 

Data source 

limitation 

!! IMPORTANT !! In the current version of PlateTag, if you use a 

data source for any field in a label, every field, including Label 

format and Drop stage, must use the same data source. 

If, for example, you use a Data source data type for fields 1–3 of a label 

and then use a Constants data type for the Drop stage parameter, 

PlateTag will not use the constant and the stage height will not be 

adjusted. The values for Drop stage and Label format must therefore be 

added to the data source. 

Data source 

structure 

A data source is a matrix of rows and columns. One row is used for every 

bar code label that you want to print. One column holds the data for one 

field in the bar code label. 

The top row of the matrix is reserved for naming the columns. 



Creating a data source from a 

comma-separated or tab-separated 

file 

Creating a data source from an 

Excel spreadsheet 

How to use a CSV file as a data 

source 

How to use an Excel file as a data 

source 

Schemas in general 

See... 

“Creating a CSV or TXT data file in a text 


“Creating an Excel data source” on 

page 117 

“Selecting a CSV or TXT file data 

source” on page 128 

“Opening an Excel data source” on 

page 129 


page 111

116 



Creating a CSV or TXT data file in a text editor 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to create a comma-separated value (CSV) file or 

tab-delimited text (TXT) file using a text editor. You can use either of 

these file types to hold bar code data for use with a schema. 

About CSV and TXT 

files 

Comma-separated and tab-separated text files contain data that can be 

read by programs. The two file formats are the same except that: 

❑ Comma-separated files separate their data with commas whereas 

tab-delimited files separate their data with tabs 

❑ Comma-separated files have a .csv extension whereas tab-delimited 

files have a .txt extension. 

!! IMPORTANT !! If you mix commas and tabs in your file, 

PlateTag will not correctly translate the data. 

Either of these types of files can be created using a text editor, such as 

Word or WordPad. They can also be created with a spreadsheet 

program, such as Microsoft ® Excel, although this topic only covers the 

use of text editors. 

Creating a commaseparated 

value file 

To create a CSV file: 

1. Open the text editor. 

This procedure uses Windows ® Notepad for the text editor. 

2. In the first row of the file, type the names of the fields as you want 

them defined in the schema, separated by commas. 

This row creates columns to hold the data. 

3. In the second and subsequent rows, type the data under the 

columns. 

Make sure that you separate the data with commas. 

Creating a tabdelimited 

file 

Creating a tab-delimited text file is the same as creating a comma 

separated value text file, except that commas are replaced by keyboard 

tabs.



117 

Using Excel to 

create a file 

You can also save data in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as a commaseparated 

value file or tab-delimited text file. As the directions for doing 

this vary with the version of Excel, consult the Excel documentation for 

further instructions. 



See... 

Data source definition and types “About data sources” on page 114 

Creating an Excel data source 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to create a data source from a Microsoft Excel 

spreadsheet for use in a schema. 

Excel version 

support 

Example 

!! IMPORTANT !! PlateTag only supports Excel 2002 files. If you 

are using a different version of Excel, export the data as a .csv file 

and use that in the schema instead. 

The following example shows a spreadsheet created in Excel 2002 that 

can be used as a data source for the VCode. 

The first row is a “header” row that identifies the bar code fields that the 

data pertains to. The first column is used to help organize the data — it 

does not contain data. 

The data cells in each row are given a named range. To illustrate this, in 

the following screenshot cell A2 contains the text PCR1. The three data 

cells in the same row were designated as a named range with PCR1 used 

as the name. 

Procedure 

To create an Excel data source: 

1. Open Microsoft Excel. 

2. In the first row of the file, type names for the fields that will be 

displayed in the PlateTag schema. 

You can use any names. Their purpose is to create column headings 

for the data.

118 



3. In the second and subsequent rows, input the data in the 

appropriate columns. 

4. Make sure that all cells are formatted as text: 

a. Select all of the cells. 

b. Select Format > Cells. 

c. In the Number tab of the Format Cells dialog box, select the 

Category of text. 

5. Define a named range for each row of data: 

a. Drag over the data set that you want to use for the print job, 

including the column headings, but not the first column. 

b. Type a name for the named range in the upper left list box and 

press ENTER. 

You will reference this name when you open the Excel data source. 

6. Save the file as an XLS file. 



See... 


Opening an Excel data source 

“Opening an Excel data source” on 

page 129



119 

Creating a constant 

Introduction 

This topic defines the constants data type, and explains when you might 

use it and how it relates to a schema. It also describes how to create a 

constant. 

Constants defined 

A constant is an optional data type that is used for a field when creating 

a schema. The value of the constant is text or numbers (an 

alphanumeric text string) that is the same for each label that is printed. 

Example use 

You can use a constant to record information such as: 

❑ Laboratory name 

❑ Assay name 

❑ Reaction name 

❑ Label format number 

❑ Drop stage indicator 

❑ Date 

Where it is used 

After creating a constant, you add it to a schema by selecting the 

variable name that you gave to the constant. 



Procedure 

To create a constant: 

1. In PlateTag, click the Schemas tab at the bottom of the page. 

2. Click the Constants tab. 

3. Click Add new constant. 

A row for the new constant appears in the white space.

120 



4. Define the following parameters by double-clicking in the 

appropriate column. 

Parameter 

Constant name 

Constant value 

Description 

A name for the constant that is 

easy to remember. 

This becomes the variable name in 

the schema. It will not appear on 

the bar code label. 

The information that will appear 

on your bar code label, either as 

text or encoded as a bar code. 

5. Double-click in the white space outside the columns to apply the 

changes. 

The constant is created. 



See... 


How the constant is used in a 

schema 

“Configuring a schema” on page 126 

Starting PlateTag “Starting PlateTag” on page 58



121 

Creating a counter 

Introduction 

This topic defines the counters data type, and explains when you might 

use it and how it relates to a schema. It also describes how to create a 

counter. 

Counters defined 

A counter is an optional data type that is used for a field when creating a 

schema. For every label that is printed, the counter increases in value by 

the same amount. 

Example: 

0001, 0002, 0003, 0004... 

You can also add constant text before or after the counter. 

Example: 

Jan6-0001, Jan6-0002, Jan6-0003, Jan6-0004... 



Creating counters 

!! IMPORTANT !! Use 10 or fewer digits in the Initial counter 

field. If there are more than ten digits, the number will be returned 

as all zeroes. 

To create a counter: 


2. Click the Counters tab. 

3. Click Add new counter. 

A row for a new counter will appear in the white space. 

4. Double-click in the white space in the column for the parameter you 

are defining. 

The column can now be edited. 

5. Define the following parameters: 

Parameter 

Variable name 

Prefix 

Suffix 

Base 

Description 

A name for the counter that is easy to remember. 

Text preceding the number. 

Text following the number. 

The number base of the counting system. The 

options are base 10 and base 36, which counts from 

0–9 and then A–Z.

122 



Parameter 

Initial counter 

value 

Increment 

Interval (plates) 

Description 

The number to start counting from. 

For example, if there is a constant with the value 

ABC followed by an initial counter value of 0001, the 

output is ABC0001, ABC0002...ABC0010. 

If you enter 000001 for the initial counter value, the 

output is ABC000001, ABC000002...ABC000010. 

The amount by which the initial value increases 

according to the interval. 

How many plates must be processed before the 

initial counter value is increased. 

To generate the following sequence, use a combination of Prefix 

(DDR-), Initial counter value (0000151), and Suffix (-01). Also use an 

Increment of 1 and a Base of 10: 

DDR-0000151-01, DDR-0000152-01, DDR-0000153-01... 

6. Click in the white space to apply these changes. 

PlateTag immediately recognizes the addition of the new counter. 

The counter’s name can now be added to the Label Field Data group 

box of the Label Editor page of VCode Diagnostics. 



See... 


How the counter is used in a 

schema 

“Configuring a schema” on page 126 




123 

Cloning a bar code 

Introduction 

If your company is changing the bar code symbology it uses on plate 

labels, you will need a way to re-label plates that are already labelled. 

The re-labelled bar codes would have to carry the same information but 

use the new symbology. You can use bar code cloning for this. 

The optional bar code reader is required for cloning, and it must be set 

up to decode the bar code format that you want to read. 

How it works 

In simple terms, the cloning process works as follows: 

1. The bar code on the existing label is read by the bar code reader. 

2. The bar code information in the label is decoded to text. 

3. The text is copied to the bar code field that will be printed on the 

new label. 

4. The text is encoded using the new symbology. 

5. The new label is printed, either on a different side of the plate or the 

same side of the plate over the top of the existing label. 



Procedure 

To clone a bar code: 


2. Click the Clones tab. 

3. Create a new clone: 

a. Click Add new clone. 

b. In the Variable name column, click once in the New Clone #x 

field. 

c. Click a second time to make it editable and type a name for the 

clone. 

d. Click once in the Side to clone bar code from column. 

e. Click a second time to open a list box and select the side of the 

plate that has the bar code to be read.

124 



4. Add the name of the clone to the schema that will be used to print 

the new label: 

a. Click in the Data type column for the field that you are cloning. 

b. Click a second time to open a list box and select Clones. 

c. In the adjacent Variable name field, select the variable that you 

named above. 

5. Click Update Schema to save the changes. 

You cannot clone 

text fields 

You can only clone bar codes. This is because text fields cannot be read 

by the bar code reader. 

If you want the label that contains the cloned bar code to also have text 

fields that match those on the label from which the clone was created, 

you will need to set up the schema to replicate those fields, using 

constants and counters. 

You cannot clone a 

field in the same job 

You can only clone a bar code that is on the plate before the print job 

begins. If your goal is to use a single print job to first print a label and 

then clone its bar code, it is unlikely to work. This is because you cannot 

control the order in which the sides of the plate are labelled. If you 

attempt to so this, when the cloning operation begins, there may not yet 

be a label on the side that you want to clone from. 



See... 


Using the bar code reader 

Checking which bar code formats 

the reader can currently decode 

“Using the VCode’s bar code reader” on 

page 139 

"About changing the reader’s label 

formats on page 150" 




125 

Creating a schema 

Introduction 

Before you can create a print job for printing a batch of labels, you must 

create and configure one or more schemas. 

This topic describes how to create, update, copy, and delete a schema. 

To learn how to configure a schema, see “Configuring a schema” on 

page 126. 



Creating a schema 

To create a schema: 

1. Click the Schemas tab at the bottom of the page. 

2. Click Create new schema. 

3. Replace the text New Schema #x in the Profile list box with a name 

of your choice. 

4. Click Rename schema. 

The button label changes to Update schema and the schema is 

created. 

Updating a schema 

Updating a schema is the same as saving a changed schema. 

To update a schema after making changes: 


2. Click Update schema. 

Copying a schema 

If you want a new schema that is similar to an existing one, it is quicker 

to copy the existing one than create a new schema. 

To copy a schema: 


2. Click Create copy. 

The schema is saved to the drive specified for schemas in the 

preferences with the name of the original schema prefixed with the 

text “Copy of” (for example, “Copy of schema one”).

126 



Deleting a schema 

You can delete schemas that you no longer want to use. 

To delete a schema: 


2. Click Delete schema. 



See... 

Configuring a schema “Configuring a schema” on page 126 

The drive location of saved 

schemas 

“Setting the locations of stored files” on 

page 109. 


Configuring a schema 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to configure a schema, which you must do 

before using it in a print job. When you configure a schema, you define 

each field that will be printed on a label, along with the label format and 

the vertical position of the plate stage. 

About defining fields 

Only define the fields that you want to print on your bar code label. If 

you do not want to define a field, leave the default data source in the 

Type column. 


Before configuring a schema, you must have done all of the following: 

❑ Planned where the label data will come from. 

❑ Set up either: 

A data source. 

One or more counters, constants or clones. 

❑ Established which fields are used in the label format that you intend 

to use in the schema. 

!! IMPORTANT !! The information that is printed on a label 

depends on the fields that you configure in the schema as well 

as the fields used in the bar code label format. If a field is not 

used in the label format, it will not be printed even if you 

configure it in the schema.



127 

General process 

There are many different ways to configure a schema. The general 

process is: 

1. Select the field to configure in the Schema Profiles group box. 

2. Double-click the item in the Data type column and, in the list box, 

select the type of label data that you want to use. 

3. Click in the white space outside the list to save the changes. 

4. Double-click the item in the Variable name column and select the 

variable name that you want to use. 

5. Set the Label format value. 

6. Set the Drop stage value. 



See... 

Defining a print job “Creating a print job” on page 133 

Creating a constant “Creating a constant” on page 119 

Creating a counter “Creating a counter” on page 121 

Setting up a data source “About data sources” on page 114 

Setting the label format “Setting the label format” on page 131 

Setting the drop stage value 

“Setting the drop stage value” on 

page 132

128 



Selecting a CSV or TXT file data source 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to open a CSV file to use as a data source for 

determining the content of printed bar code labels. You do this when 

creating a schema. 

The use of a data source is optional as you can provide the label content 

with counters, constants, and clones instead. 

Procedure 

To select a CSV or TXT file data source: 

1. In the Data Source Selection group box, select CSV. 

2. Click Browse, navigate to the data source file and click Open. 

The data appears in the Data source tab. 

3. Click in the row that corresponds to the field for which you want to 

use the data source. 

The row is selected, as shown in the following screenshot. 

4. Click in the Variable name column again and select the name of the 

column in the data source file that you want to use. 

The data in the Data source tab is updated. 

5. Repeat the procedure for other fields that will use the same data 

source.



129 



See... 

Setting up a data source “About data sources” on page 114 

Opening an Excel data source 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to open an Excel 2002 file to use as a data 

source for determining the content of printed bar code labels. You do 

this when creating a schema. 

The use of a data source is optional as you can provide the label content 

with counters, constants, and clones instead. 

Excel version 

!! IMPORTANT !! The file must have been created using 

Excel 2002. You cannot create the file with a later version and then 

save it as an Excel 2002 format, because the original and converted 

formats are not identical. 


This procedure assumes that you have already created an Excel data 

source. 

Procedure 

To open an Excel spreadsheet as your data source: 

1. Make sure that each row of data in the Excel file is a named range by 

selecting each named range, in turn, from the list box at the top, left 

of the spreadsheet. 

The cells that are included in the named range are selected in the 

spreadsheet. 

2. In PlateTag, click the Schemas tab located at the bottom of the page. 

3. In the Data source selection, select Excel 2002. 

A list box called Table name appears.

130 



4. Click Browse and navigate to the Excel file that you want to use. 

If you did not define a named range in your Excel file, if the file was 

not created using Excel 2002 format, or if the table cells are not 

formatted as text, you will receive an error message. 

5. From the Table name list box, select the named range in your file 

that you want to use. 

6. Click Translate. 

PlateTag converts the data source type to ODBC (because the 

software treats Excel files as databases) and the connection 

information is displayed. 

7. The data is displayed in the Data source group box. 

8. You can now add the data to the Label field group box. 



Creating an Excel data source 

See... 

“Creating an Excel data source” on 

page 117 

Data sources in general “About data sources” on page 114



131 

Setting the label format 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to set the label format that will be used to print 

the label. You do this when creating a schema. 

Label format 

property 

Before you can complete a schema, you must define the “Label format” 

property. You do this by setting the Constants value for the property. 

Note: Any data type can be used for the label format, but it is easiest to 

use a constant. However, if you are using a data source for any of the 

fields, you must include the label format setting in the data source. 

To set the label format: 

1. Create a constant for the format. 

For the Constant value, use the number that is the same as the 

number of the label format (stored in the printer) that you want to 

use. 

This is illustrated by the following screenshot. 

2. Select the constant for the Label format field: 

a. In the Label format field select a data type of Constants. 

b. Select the Variable name that you chose when creating the 

constant. 



See... 

Creating constants “Creating a constant” on page 119.

132 



Setting the drop stage value 

Drop stage defined 

The drop stage value determines whether the plate stage is in the top or 

bottom of its two positions at the time the plate is labelled. 

About plate stage 

height 

The height of the plate stage as a label is applied to a plate is determined 

by both the mechanical height adjustment of the plate stage and the 

drop stage value in the schema. 

Procedure 

If you label plates that have skirts of different heights, you may need to 

create drop stage values for both the top and bottom positions of the 

plate stage. Otherwise, you only need to create one of the values. 

To set the top and bottom drop stage values: 

1. Create two constants for the drop stage value: one for the top 

position and one for the bottom position. 

Use the following table and screenshot as a guide when setting the 

values: 

Drop Stage Position 

Value 

Top position 0 

Bottom position 1 

2. Select the constant for the Drop stage field: 

a. In the Drop stage field select the data type of Constants. 

b. Select the Variable name that you chose when creating the 

constant.



133 



See... 

Creating constants “Creating a constant” on page 119. 

Mechanically setting top and 

bottom positions of the plate stage 



Creating a print job 

Introduction 

This topic defines print jobs, and describes how to create, save and 

open them. 

About print jobs 

A print job sets which schemas will be used to label which sides of the 

plate during a batch run. As each schema defines the labels printed on 

one side, you can print different labels on different sides of the plate. 

You can label more than one type of plate in a print job, even if they 

have different heights. However, if they do have heights that require 

different drop stage positions, you will need to use a data source in the 

schema. The data source will control the drop stage parameter during 

the print job. 


Before defining a print job, you must have: 

❑ Created one or more schemas 

❑ Created the label format for the print job 

❑ Started PlateTag 

Creating a print job 

To create a print job: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to Jobs > New. 

Any existing schemas listed in the Data Schema Selection table are 

cleared. 

2. In the Device Selection group box, select the profile for the VCode 

that you want to use to do the printing.

134 



3. In the Data Schema Selection box, define the schema for each side 

of the plate that you want to label: 

a. Select the row corresponding to the first side of the plate that 

you want to label. 

b. Double-click in the Schema column and select the schema to 

use from the list box that appears. 

Repeat for other sides of the plate as needed, using [no schema] for 

sides that will not be labelled. 

Saving a print job 

To save a print job: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to Jobs > Save. 

2. Navigate to the folder in which you want to save the print job, enter a 

name for the file, and click Save. 

Opening a print job 

To open a print job: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to Jobs > Open. 

You can only have one print job open at a time. 



See... 

Creating one or more schemas “Creating a schema” on page 125 

The label format for the print job 


on page 87 


Starting the labelling operation for 

a production run 

“Starting a production labelling run” on 

page 135



135 

Starting a production labelling run 

Introduction 

After the VCode is completely set up and a print job has been created, 

you can perform a production labelling run in which a batch of plates is 

labelled on one or more sides. 

This topic describes how to open and start a print job. 


Before starting a production printing job it is a good idea to perform a 

test print to make sure that: 

❑ All of the data will fit on a label 

❑ The text can be read by a person 

❑ The bar code can be read by a bar code reader 

If PlateTag is not already running, you will also need to start it. 

Opening a print job 

You can have one print job open at a time. 

To open a print job: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to Jobs > Open. 

Starting a print job 

To start a print job: 

1. In the Print Job tab of PlateTag, click Start job. 

2. If your schemas do not use a data source, input the correct number 

of plates for the run in the Job Size Request dialog box. 

If your schemas use a data source, PlateTag assumes that the number 

of plates that you want to label is the same as the number of data 

rows in the data source. 

3. Place a plate on the plate stage and press the green button. 

One or more labels are printed and applied to the plate. 

Click the Print Job tab to see the progress of batch labelling 

operation.

136 



4. Replace the plate with the next one in the series and press the green 

button. 

Repeat this operation for all remaining plates in the series. 




See... 


page 99 

The location of the green button “Hardware overview” on page 11 

Labelling groups of plates with identical labels 

Introduction 

This topic explains how to set up a batch print job that prints groups of 

plates with the same labels. 

Example 

You may want to label groups of plates in a batch run, where each plate 

in the group has the same label. The following example has groups of 

three identical plates in an incrementing batch run: 

bc0001, bc0001, bc0001, bc0002, bc0002, bc0002, bc0003, bc0003, 

bc0003... 

When typically labelling a batch of plates, each plate is labelled with a 

unique label in sequence, such as: 

bc0001, bc0002, bc0003, bc0004, bc0005, bc0006... 

If you run the same print job in the typical way three times, the plates 

will be labelled like this: 

bc0001, bc0002, bc0003, bc0001, bc0002, bc0003, bc0001, bc0002, 

bc0003... 

This is inconvenient because you will need to shuffle the plates to get 

them into the order you want. 

The procedure in this topic shows you how to create the desired subsets 

of identically labelled plates. 


This procedure assumes that PlateTag is already open and that one of 

the schemas used for the print job uses a data source. 

Procedure 

To print subsets of identically labelled plates in a batch run: 

1. In PlateTag, navigate to Edit > Preferences. 

2. Click the Jobs tab. 

3. In the Data Sources group box, select Prompt for duplication of 

data source entries.



137 

4. Click OK. 

5. Click the Print Job tab at the bottom of the page. 

6. Click Start job. 

7. In the Job Size Request dialog box, enter how many copies of each 

bar code you want to print and click OK. 

If you want to have three plates in the group, as in the example 

earlier in this topic, type 3. 



Starting the labelling operation for 

a production run 

See... 

“Starting a production labelling run” on 

page 135

138 



Test printing with a print job in sticky mode 

Introduction 

There are several ways to perform test prints using VCode Diagnostics, 

but none of these methods use schemas. You can use a function called 

“sticky mode” to conveniently test the schemas that you intend to use in 

a print job, as well as the function of the VCode. 

About sticky mode 

In sticky mode you press the green button once to start labelling and 

again to stop. The VCode will repeatedly label the same plate. 

Procedure 

To set up sticky mode: 

1. Set up a print job that conforms to your test requirements. 

2. Select Edit > Preferences. 


4. Select Enable sticky mode. 

5. Click OK. 

6. Press the green button to start the test. 

7. Press the green button to stop the test. 




See... 


page 99

Chapter 7: Using the VCode’s bar code reader 


139 

7 

Using the VCode’s bar 

code reader 

This chapter explains how to install and configure the optional bar code 

reader.

140 



About the bar code reader 

Introduction 

This topic describes what the bar code reader is used for, discusses bar 

code reader formats, and explains how the bar code reader can be 

controlled. 

What it is used for 

The VCode’s optional bar code reader can read a bar code on any side 

of the plate. It can be used to: 

❑ Read a bar code on a side of the plate that is not accessible to other 

bar code readers in a lab automation system. 

For example, the bar code reader on the robot of the BioCel ® can 

only read north-side bar codes. 

❑ Verify the identities of all plates that are brought into a lab 

automation system. 

❑ Verify the bar codes printed on plates at the VCode ® . 

❑ Read a bar code on one side of a plate and print an identical label 

on another side, except with a different bar code symbology. 

Diagram 

A diagram of the bar code reader attached to a bracket that is mounted 

at the side of the printer, is shown below. 

00174 

Vcode 

Reader 

Laser light 

The laser light is projected as a series of lines, similar to the laser light in 

a supermarket checkout (cash register) scanner. It is not projected as a 

single point beam. 

About supported bar 

code symbologies 

It is important to understand that the ability of the printer to encode 

human readable text into a bar code is independent of the ability of the 

bar code reader to decode a bar code into human readable text. Just 

because you can print a bar code in a particular bar code format it does 

not mean that you can also read that bar code. The bar code reader 

must be configured to be able to decode the bar code format that is 

used to print the label. 

The bar code reader was preconfigured at the factory to support the four 

bar code formats that you are most likely to use, according to 

discussions with someone in your organization. If you now want to use a 

different bar code format, you will have to change the formats that are 

stored in the bar code reader.



141 

Controlling software 

You can control the bar code reader using the software listed in the 

following table. 

Software 

PlateTag 


VWorks and 

BenchWorks 

Used to... 

❑ Clone bar codes. 

❑ Verify bar codes after they have been printed 

and applied. 

Perform a quick test of the bar code reader and bar 

code. 

❑ Verify the identities of all plates that are brought 

into a lab automation system. Set this up when 

setting up the plate instance. 

❑ Label one side of a plate based on a reading 

from another side. 

For more information, see the BioCel User Guide or 

BenchCel User Guide. 



Changing the bar code formats 

stored in the bar code reader 

See... 

“About changing the reader’s label 

formats” on page 150 

Bar code cloning “Cloning a bar code” on page 123 

Bar code verification 

Performing a test of the bar code 

reader and bar code 

“Using bar code verification” on 

page 149 



142 



About installing the bar code reader 

Introduction 

This topic explains the general principles you will need to understand 

when installing a bar code reader. It also describes the workflow, 

pointing you to the topics that give installation directions. 

General goal 

To obtain successful bar code readings you must align the reader so that 

the laser lines reflect from the bar code label back into the reader with 

sufficient intensity for them to be read. 

Factors affecting 

optimal alignment 

The optimal bar code reader position will vary for different: 

❑ Types of plates 

❑ Label positions on the plate 

❑ Bar code positions on the label 

❑ Sides of the plate 

❑ Vertical plate stage positions 

If you change your 

labelling setup 

Because the optimal bar code reader position varies according to 

whether you are labelling the short side or long side of a plate, you may 

need to re-align the reader if you change the print job. If you are 

labelling both a short side and long side in the same print job, you will 

need to set up the reader in a compromise position that can read from 

either side. 

The effect of 

ambient light 

The amount of ambient light can affect the success of a reading. The 

higher the ambient light intensity, the more difficult it will be for the 

reader to detect reflected light. 

Workflow 

The workflow for installing the bar code reader on the VCode is given in 

the following table: 


1 Attach the reader to the VCode. “Attaching the bar code reader” 

on page 143 

2 Adjust the reader so that the laser 

beam hits the label on a plate. 

3 Test the performance of the 

reader. 

“Targeting the laser on the 

label” on page 145 





143 

Attaching the bar code reader 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to attach the bar code reader. It is the first step 

in the workflow for installing the reader. 

Required tools 

To attach the bar code reader you will need a small, flat-bladed 

screwdriver. 

Attaching the reader 

To attach the bar code reader: 

1. Turn off the VCode. 

2. Unplug the VCode’s power cable and communications cable to 

allow good access to the bar code reader’s connection port. 

3. Place the cut-out slots in the reader’s bracket over the screw holes on 

the left side of the printer, making sure that the reader’s cable is not 

trapped behind the bracket. 

4. Screw in the bolts until they are finger tight. 

In the following diagram, one of the bolts is screwed in. 

00176 

Vcode 

reader bracket hole 

00176 

5. Insert the bar code reader’s connector into the left-hand serial port 

and tighten the screws with the screwdriver.

. 

144 



00177 

00177 

6. Reconnect the power cable and the communications cable. 

7. Turn on the VCode. 



Turning the VCode on or off 

The location of the power cable 

The location of Ethernet cable 

connection 

The location of the serial cable 

connection 

Installing a bar code reader 

See... 

“Turning the VCode on and off” on 

page 58 

“Connecting the power cord” on 

page 33 

“Connecting Ethernet cables” on 

page 42 

“Connecting with serial” on page 35 

“About installing the bar code reader” 

on page 142



145 

Positioning the bar code reader 

Introduction 

After attaching the bar code reader to the VCode you need to position it 

and tighten it down. How to do this is described in this topic. 

Required tools 

To position and tighten down the bar code reader, you will need 2.5-mm 

and 4-mm allen wrenches. 

Laser warnings 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! Class 2 laser hazard. Looking directly at 

the laser light may seriously damage your eyes. 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! Do not disassemble bar code reader sensor 

heads. Laser emission from the reader is not automatically stopped 

if the sensor head is disassembled. 

!! INJURY HAZARD !! Unless following a procedure in a 

Velocity11 user guide, do not touch the white TEST button on the 

side of the bar code reader sensor head. This button turns on the 

laser creating the possibility of a long exposure to the light. 

Targeting the laser 

on the label 

To target the laser light on a label: 

1. Put the type of plate that you want to read on the plate stage. 

2. Move the stage to the bar code angle teachpoint. 

3. Make sure that the plate stage is in the correct vertical position for 

the type of plate. 

4. Press and hold the white button labelled “TEST” on the side of the 

reader for about 4 seconds. 

When you release the button the green light next to the label “LASER 

ON” should remain on. 

TEST 

LASER ON 

00179 

00179 

Vcode 

reader button press 

5. Examine the position of the laser lines in relation to the plate label. 

6. Adjust the fore-aft position of the bar code reader bracket: 

If you are only reading bar codes on one side of the plate or bar 

codes on two, opposite sides of the plate your goal is to have as 

many lines crossing the bar code as possible, so move the bar 

code reader bracket as far forward as possible.

146 



If you need to read bar codes on adjacent sides of the plate (a 

long side and a short side), you may need to position the bracket 

farther back so that it the laser lines will cross bar codes on all 

sides. The farther back the bracket, the larger is the vertical 

spread of the laser lines. 

00175 

Vcode 

Reader Beam 

00175 

7. Tighten the bolts on the base of the bracket with a 4-mm allen 

wrench. 

8. Adjust the angle of the laser emission by loosening the bolts with a 

2.5-mm allen wrench and pivoting the reader. 

00178 

00178 

Vcode 

Tilt screw 

If you are only reading bar codes on one side of the plate, or bar 

codes on two opposite sides of the plate, your goal is to have as 

many lines crossing the bar code as possible. 

If you need to read bar codes on adjacent sides of the plate, we 

recommend that you position the laser so that the top laser lines 

cross the top of the east or west side of the plate. Then when the 

plate is turned other laser lines will hit the label at the north and 

south sides of the plate. 

9. Tighten the 2.5-mm bolts. 

10. Press the white button labelled “TEST” to turn off the laser.

. 



147 

In practice, the fore-aft and angle adjustments may require iterations 

until you get good laser line coverage across labels on all sides of the 

plate that you want to label. 



Turning the VCode on or off 

The general process of 

installing a bar code reader 

See... 

“Turning the VCode on and off” on 

page 58 

“About installing the bar code 

reader” on page 142 

Testing the reader using VCode Diagnostics 

Introduction 

After installing the bar code reader, follow this topic to make sure that 

the reader works and that it can read labels on all sides of the plates that 

you plan to use. 

This procedure can also be used at any time to test that a bar code label 

design is readable before using it for a production run. 


This procedure assumes that PlateTag is already open and 

communicating with the VCode. 

Procedure 

To test the bar code reader using diagnostics: 

1. In the Device Selection group box of the Print Job page, select the 

default profile that corresponds to the type of connection cable you 

are using. 


3. In the I/O functions tab, click Trigger BCR. 

Note: If the button is unavailable, either the bar code reader was 

not detected during initialization, the VCode was not previously 

initialized, or a plate with a bar code was on the plate stage 

during initialization. 

4. The result is displayed in the Last value box above the button.

. 

148 



If you receive an error, make sure that the reader’s laser lines are 

aligned with the label. If it is, contact the Velocity11 Service Center 

for help. 

5. Move the plate stage so that another side of the plate is exposed to 

the reader, and repeat the test. 

Read angle 

information 

The read angle is the angle at which the plate stage stops, relative to the 

home position, when a label is being read. This angle was set at the 

factory and should not need to be changed. 

If bar codes cannot be read on all four sides of the plate the read angle 

is not optimal. In this case, contact the Velocity11 Service Center. 



Moving the plate stage 

Selecting a profile 

See... 

“Moving the plate stage to a 

teachpoint” on page 71 

“Communicating with the bar code 

reader” on page 152 

Opening VCode Diagnostics “Starting VCode Diagnostics” on 

page 62



149 

Using bar code verification 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to set up the bar code reader to verify that 

every bar code printed and applied can be read. 


This procedure assumes that PlateTag is already open and 

communicating with the VCode. 

Procedure 

To set up label verification: 

1. In PlateTag, select Edit > Preferences. 


3. In the Bar Code Verification group box, select Verify bar codes 

after printing and applying labels. 

4. In the Maximum number of retries text box, type the number of 

additional times that the bar code reader will try to read the bar 

code in the event of a misread. 

5. If you want the VCode to reprint labels that are misread: 

a. Select Auto-reprint misprinted labels. 

b. Type a value in the Maximum number of reprints text box. 

This is the maximum number of times that the printer will print, 

apply, and attempt to verify a label.

150 



About changing the reader’s label formats 

Introduction 

The bar code reader can store the necessary information to allow it to 

decode up to four bar code formats (symbologies). 

If you want to read one or more formats that are different from the 

currently configured formats, you will need to reconfigure the settings in 

the bar code reader’s firmware. 

You can also use the process described in this topic to determine the 

formats that your bar code reader currently uses. 

About firmware 

Firmware is the name given to the software stored in the 

microprocessors of an instrument’s printed circuit boards. Firmware is 

responsible for the most basic operations of the hardware and is not 

normally accessible to users. 

As is the case with the VCode bar code reader, some firmware can be 

updated. 

Bar code reader kit 

To view or change the bar code reader’s stored formats you connect 

directly to the reader. To do this, you will need to purchase the bar code 

reader programming kit from Velocity11 (Programming Kit, Bar Code 

Reader Keyence, part number 14912.001). 

The kit contains: 

❑ A wiring harness. 

The wiring harness provides power to the bar code reader while also 

making a serial connection to the computer. 

❑ A power supply adapter. 

❑ A software CD-ROM, containing bar code reader connection 

software called BLSet32E.exe. 

Serial cable 

In addition to the kit, you will need a serial cable, even if you normally 

connect to the VCode with an Ethernet cable. 

Workflow overview 

The overall workflow for changing the reader’s bar code formats is to: 


1 Connect the wiring harness. “Procedure” on page 151 

2 Open the bar code reader 

software and change the COM 

port settings to open a 

communication connection to 

the bar code reader. 

3 Change the bar code reader 

formats. 

“Communicating with the bar 

code reader” on page 152 

“Changing the bar code reader’s 

formats” on page 153



151 

Connecting the reader’s wiring harness 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to connect the wiring harness to the bar code 

reader. You do this to change the bar code formats stored in the reader. 

For an overview of the process of changing the bar code formats stored 

in the reader, see “About changing the reader’s label formats” on 

page 150. 

Wiring harness 

connections 

The following diagram shows how the wiring harness will be connected 

at the end of the connection procedure. 

Wiring harness 

To computer 

To bar code 

reader 

To power 

supply 

00181 

Procedure 

To connect the bar code reader’s wiring harness: 

1. Remove the bar code reader’s serial cable from the applicator’s 

connection panel. 

00177 

00177 

2. Locate the male serial connector of the wiring harness and connect 

it to the bar code reader serial connector. 

The male connector is the one that has the power cable entering it. 

3. At the applicator’s connection panel, unplug the serial cable that 

comes from the computer and connect it to the wiring harness. 

4. Connect the power cable jack from the power adapter to the power 

cable jack of the harness. 

5. Plug the power cable adapter into a power receptacle (mains 

electricity socket).

152 



Communicating with the bar code reader 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to open a serial communication connection 

with the bar code reader. You do this when changing the bar code 

formats stored in the reader. 

For an overview of the process, see “About changing the reader’s label 

formats” on page 150. 

Procedure 

To open the bar code reader’s software: 

1. Copy the BLSet32E.exe file from the bar code reader’s software CD- 

ROM to the root VCode folder of the controlling computer, when the 

software is installed to the default location: 

C:\Program Files\Velocity11\VCode 

2. Double-click the file to open the Setup dialog box.



153 

Connecting to the 

reader 

To connect to the bar code reader: 

1. Click the Files tab and make sure that BL-600 is selected in the 

Model group box. 

2. Click Com port and set the following properties: 

Property 

Setting 

Port 

The number corresponding to the 

port that the bar code reader is 

connected to. 

This is usually port 1. 

Baud rate 38400 

Data bits 

8 bits 

Parity 

None 

Stop 

1 bit 

3. Click OK. 

Changing the bar code reader’s formats 

Introduction 

This topic describes how to set the bar code reader’s formats in the 

software and then transfer them to the reader. 

For an overview of the process of changing the bar code formats stored 

in the reader, see “About changing the reader’s label formats” on 

page 150. 


Before you can change the bar code format: 

❑ The wiring harness must be attached between the VCode and 

computer, and power supplied to the harness. 

❑ The bar code reader software must be open. 

❑ A serial connection to the bar code reader must be open. 

Setting the bar code 

formats 

To change the bar code reader’s formats in the software: 

1. Click the Code setup tab. 

2. In the list boxes of the Code 1, Code 2, Code 3 and Code 4 group 

boxes, select the four formats that you want your bar code reader to 

be able to read.

154 



Transferring the 

formats to the 

reader 

To transfer the formats to the reader’s firmware: 

1. Click Transfer. 

The Send/Receive settings (BL) dialog box opens. 

2. Click Send settings (Save in BL EEP-ROM). 

The result dialog box opens stating BL setting is finished. 

If you get the message Failed to set up BL, check the COM port 

settings and try again. If you get the same message and you are sure 

that you completed this procedure correctly, call the Velocity11 

Service Center. 

3. Click OK. 

4. Click the close box to close the transfer dialog box. 

5. Click Exit. 

6. In the Warning dialog box, click OK. 

There is no need to save settings in the software because they have 

been saved in the reader’s firmware. 

7. Test that the reader works with the new formats. 



Testing the bar code reader 

See... 


Diagnostics” on page 147.

Chapter 8: VCode ActiveX 


155 

VCode ActiveX 8 

This chapter gives the ActiveX commands required to control the 

VCode ® in another company’s automation system.

156 



Properties 

ControlPicture 

Visual C++ 

Description 

Retrieves a picture of the VCode bitmap that can be used in the 

container’s application. 

Visual Basic 

/* The CPicture class will be 

imported into your project when the 

ActiveX is installed */ 

CButton button; 

'Assume that there is a button named Command1 on the 

'current form. You must set the Style property of 

'Command1 to "Graphical". 

Command1.Picture = VCode1.ControlPicture 

// Create a button. 

CPicture VCodePic; 

// Retrieve the picture. 

VCodePic = 

m_VCode.GetControlPicture(); 

// Paint the bitmap onto the button. 

button.SetBitmap( (HBITMAP) 

VCodePic.GetHandle()); 

Blocking 

Visual C++ 

Description 

Forces ActiveX methods to block, or wait until the method is complete 

before returning control to the application. If set to FALSE, the method 

returns immediately, and the user should handle the events accordingly. 

Visual Basic 

// Set the VCode in blocking mode. 

m_VCode.SetBlocking( TRUE); 

// Set the VCode in non-blocking 

mode. 

m_VCode.SetBlocking( FALSE); 

// User should handle events if nonblocking! 

'set VCode in blocking mode. 

VCode1.Blocking = True 

'set VCode in non-blocking mode. 

VCode1.Blocking = False 

'user should handle events if non- 

'blocking.



157 

NumReprint 

Attempts 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.SetNum 

Description 

If a bar code reader is attached to the VCode, setting this value to a nonzero 

integer will enable bar code verification after printing and applying 

labels. 

If the bar codes cannot be read, the VCode will re-print and apply up to 

NumReprintAttempts times before giving an error. 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.NumReprintAttempts=5 

ReprintAttempts(5);

158 



Methods 

Abort, Retry, and 

Ignore 

Note: These are three separate methods. 

Description 

Aborts, retries, or ignores the process if an error is caught in the error 

event handler. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

This example refers to abort, retry and ignore. 

Visual C++ 

// This code should appear in the 

// OnError event handler 

int response = MessageBox( “An error 

occurred”, “Error”, 

MB_ABORTRETRYIGNORE); 

switch( response) { 

case IDABORT: 

m_VCode.Abort(); 

break; 

case IDRETRY: 

m_VCode.Retry(); 

break; 

Visual Basic 

Dim response As Integer 

response = MsgBox("An error occurred", 

vbAbortRetryIgnore) 

Select Case response 

Case vbAbort 

VCode1.Abort 

Case vbIgnore 

VCode1.Ignore 

Case vbRetry 

VCode1.Retry 

End Select 

case IDIGNORE: 

m_VCode.Ignore(); 

break; 

} 

AboutBox 

Displays the About Box message box, which includes the ActiveX 

version and firmware version of the currently connected VCode if 

initialized.



159 

AddToQueue 

Description 

If multiple label formats and data need to be printed on each side of the 

plate, use AddToQueue. ClearQueue must be called after the print-andapply 

cycle to prevent excess labels from being applied to the plate. 

Parameters 

Name Type Range Description 

format SHORT 1–19 Which printer format to 

use. 

side BYTE 1, 2, 4, or 8 1 = east side. 

2 = north side. 

4 = west side. 

8 = south side. 

The side is a bitmask, 

so if you want to print 

on the north and south 

sides, the parameter is 

10 (2+8). 

dropStage BOOL TRUE / FALSE TRUE = drop stage 

before applying label. 

FALSE = raise stage 


field0 BSTR Not applicable data for field 1. 






Return 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

/* Add a label using format 1, east 

side (not used by PrintLabelQueue), 

drop the stage before printing, and 

print "hi" in field 1, and "there" 

in field 2.*/ 

m_VCode.AddToQueue( 1, 1, TRUE, 

"hi", "there", "", "", "", ""); 

Visual Basic 

'Add a label using format 1, east side 

'(not used by PrintLabelQueue), drop the 

'stage before printing, and print "hi" in 

'field 1, and "there" in field 2. 

VCode1.AddToQueue 1, 1, True, "hi", 

"there", "", "", "", ""

160 



ClearQueue 

Description 

Clears the label queue. Should be called after each call to 

PrintAndApplyQueue. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.ClearQueue(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.ClearQueue 

Close 

Description 

Closes the VCode ActiveX. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.Close(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.Close 

DropStage 

Description 

Drops the plate stage. 

Parameters 


Name BOOL Any number 0 = do not drop 

Any other = drop 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.DropStage(1); 

//Drops the stage. 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.DropStage(0); 

'Raises the stage.



161 

EmunerateProfiles 

Description 

Returns all defined profiles on the computer. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

VARIANT 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

VARIANT 

profiles=m_VCode.EnumerateProfile(); 

Visual Basic 

Dim profiles() as String 

profiles=VCode1.EnumerateProfiles 

GetBarcodeField 

Description 

Allows the user to retrieve the first barcode field index in a label format. 

Ideal for verifying the printed barcode. 

Parameters 


format SHORT 1–19 The format to check. 

field SHORT* Stores the barcode 

field index after 

returning from the 

call. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

SHORT field; 

m_VCode.GetBarcodeField( 1, 

&field); 

Visual Basic 

Dim field as Integer 

VCode1.GetBarcodeField( 1, field) 

// Field now contains the barcode 

// field index,0-based.

162 



GetLastError 

Description 

Returns the last known error condition. 

Parameters 


error BSTR* Not applicable Stores the error string 

after returning from the 

call. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

BSTR msg; 

m_VCode.GetLastError( &msg); 

Visual Basic 

Dim msg as String 

VCode1.GetLastError( msg) 

// msg now contains the error 

// message 

SysFreeString( msg); 

HasBCR 

Description 

Returns whether or not the VCode has detected a bar code reader. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

VARIANT_BOOL 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

VARIANT_BOOL hasBCR= 

m_VCode.HasBCR(); 

Visual Basic 

Dim hasbcr as Boolean 

hasbcr=VCode1.HasBCR()



163 

HomeStage 

Description 

Homes the VCode stage, and starts the event HomeComplete when the 

motor has finished homing. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.HomeStage(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.HomeStage 

Initialize 

Description 

Initializes the ActiveX and sets the VCode to communicate using the 

parameters set in the profile. The profile specifies whether the VCode 

should use the serial or Ethernet port. 

The profiles “serial” and “ethernet" are automatically generated. The 

parameters for each can be adjusted in the Profiles tab of VCode 

Diagnostics (using a call to ShowDiagsDialog). 

Initialize homes the VCode and searches for an attached bar code 

reader. It also starts the InitializeComplete event when the VCode has 

initialized. 

Parameters 

Name 

profileName 

Type 

BSTR 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

// connect via serial using the com 

// port specified in the profile. 

m_VCode.Initialize( “serial”); 

Visual Basic 

'connect via Ethernet, using the BioNET 

'ID specified in the profile. 

VCode1.Initialize "ethernet"

164 



PrintAndApply 

Description 

Prints and applies one set of label data to one side of the plate, 

executing immediately. 

Parameters 


format SHORT 1 – 19 The printer format to 

use. 

sides BYTE 1 - 15 1 = east side. 

2 = north side. 

4 = west side. 

8 = south side. 

The side is a bitmask, 

so if you want to print 

on the north and south 

sides, the parameter is 

10 (2+8). 

dropStage BOOL TRUE / FALSE TRUE = drop stage 


FALSE = raise stage 


field0 BSTR data for field 1. 






Returns 

HRESULT 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

/* Print and apply “hi” and “there” 

using format 2 on the west and south 

sides. According to the table, west 

= 4 and south = 8, so pass 12 in the 

for the sides parameter.*/ 

m_VCode.PrintAndApply( 2, 12, TRUE, 

“hi”, “there”, “”, “”, “”, “”); 

Visual Basic 

'Print and apply "hi" and "there" using 

'format 2 on the west and south sides. 

'According to the table, west = 4 and 

'south = 8, so pass 12 in the for the 

'sides parameter. 

VCode1.PrintAndApply 2, 12, True, "hi", 

"there", "", "", "", ""



165 

PrintAndApplyQueue 

Description 

Prints and applies all of the labels added to the label queue using the 

AddToQueue method. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.PrintAndApplyQueue(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.PrintAndApplyQueue 

PrintLabel 

Description 

Prints a label with the specified parameters. 

Parameters 


format SHORT 1–19 The printer format to 

use. 







Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.PrintLabel(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.PrintLabel

166 



PrintLabelQueue 

Description 

Prints all of the labels added to the label queue using the AddToQueue 

method. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Example 

Visual C++ 

m_VCode.PrintLabelQueue(); 

Visual Basic 

VCode1.PrintLabelQueue 

ReadBarcode 

Description 

Reads a barcode on the specified side of the plate. 

Parameters 


side SHORT 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 0 = reads barcode at 

current stage position. 

1 = reads east side 

barcode. 

2 = reads north side 

barcode. 

4 = reads west side 

barcode. 

8 = reads south side 

barcode. 

barcode BSTR* The barcode read by 

the reader is returned 

through this outparam. 

If no barcode reader 

was detected upon 

initialization, this 

method returns 

E_FAIL. If the reader 

failed to read a valid 

barcode, this method 

returns S_FALSE. 

Returns 

HRESULT



167 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

BSTR bc; 

// Read the barcode at the current 

//stage position. 

Visual Basic 

Dim bc as String 

VCode1.ReadBarcode( 2, bc) 

m_VCode.ReadBarcode( 0, &bc); 

SysFreeString( bc); 

// Read the barcode on the north 

//side of the plate. 

m_VCode.ReadBarcode( 2, &bc); 

SysFreeString( bc); 

Rotate180 

Visual C++ 

Description 

If a plate enters the automated system in the wrong orientation, 

Rotate180 will rotate the plate by 180 degrees. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Examples 

Visual Basic 

m_VCode.Rotate180(); 

VCode1.Rotate180

168 



ShowDiagsDialog 

Description 

Displays VCode Diagnostics. 

Parameters 


modal BOOL TRUE / FALSE Displays VCode 

Diagnostics modally 

(TRUE) or non-modally 

(FALSE). 

securityLevel BYTE N/A For future use. 

Currently not 

implemented. 

Returns 

HRESULT 

Examples 

Visual C++ 

Visual Basic 

m_VCode.ShowDiagsDialog( true, 0) VCode1.ShowDiagsDialog True, 0



169 

Events 

Error 

Description 

This event starts when an error occurs during any print-and-apply 

operation or initialization. 

Parameters 


Number SHORT Not used. 

Description BSTR* Description of the error. 

Scode LONG Not used. 

HelpFile BSTR Not used. 

HelpContext LONG Not used. 

CancelDisplay VARIANT_BOOL* Set to TRUE to disable 

the stock event handler 

behavior, which is to 

display a dialog box with 

the description in it. 

Returns 

None. 

GreenButton 

Description 

This event starts when the green button is pressed. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None. 

HomeComplete 

Description 

This event starts when the motor homes successfully. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None.

170 



InitializeComplete 

Description 

This event starts after the VCode initializes completely. This is necessary 

since units without a barcode reader take longer to initialize. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None. 

PrintAndApplyCompl 

ete 

Description 

This event starts when the print-and-apply operation completes 

successfully. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None. 

PrintComplete 

Description 

This event starts when a label is printed successfully using PrintLabel or 

PrintQueue (after the entire queue is printed). 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None. 

Rotate180Complete 

Description 

This event starts once the VCode has finished rotating the stage by 

180 degrees. 

Parameters 

None. 

Returns 

None. 

s

Index 

Index 


Note: You can also use the online help to search for information. Download the latest version 

from www.velocity11.com/support/support.html. 

171 

A 

Abort method, 158 

AboutBox method, 158 

Acrobat reader, 3 

Acrobat viewer, 3 

ActiveX, 14, 16 

definition, 16 

events, 17 

methods, 16 

properties, 16 

AddToQueue method, 159 

air 

connecting to, 29 

requirements, 28 

appended text, 121 

applicator diagram, 11 

applicator head, 11, 66 

apply angle, 67 

attaching a bar code reader, 143 

automated labelling, 22 

B 

bar code 

about, 18 

clones file location, 109 

cloning, 123 

copying to another side, 123 

bar code field 

defined, 18 

format, 19 

bar code label, data flow to, 112 

bar code log 

location, 109 

bar code reader 

about alignment, 142 

attaching, 143 

diagram, 140 

effect of ambient light, 142 

hardware overview, 12 

harness, 150 

installation workflow, 142 

positioning, 145 

serial connection, 152 

sides of plate, 142 

software, 141, 150 

supported symbologies, 140 

testing, 147 

uses, 140 

wiring harness, 151 

bar code reader formats 

changing, 153 

changing workflow, 150 

transferring to reader, 154 

Bar Code Reader Kit, 150 

bar code symbology defined, 19 

bar code verification, 149 

barcode angle, 67 

base of VCode, 121 

batch labelling 

in PlateTag, 22 

starting, 135 

workflow, 108 

batch processing software, see PlateTag 

BenchCel, 10 

BenchWorks software, 10, 14, 16 

BioCel, 10 

Blocking property, 156 

blowoff on/off command, 63 

BLSet32E.exe software, 150 

opening, 152 

C 

ClearQueue method, 160 

clone, data type, 111 

cloning, 123 

Close method, 160 

comma-separated file 

about, 116 

creating, 116 

computer connection options, 34 

connecting the air, 29 

constants 

creating, 119 

data type, 111 

defined, 119 

constants file 

location, 109 

continuous sensor update, 63 

ControlPicture property, 156 

counters 

creating, 121 


defined, 121

172 

Index 


file location, 109 

creating a print job, 133 

creating a profile, 79 

crossover cable, 42 

CSV file, see comma-separated file, 116 

current format field, 84 

current stage angle, 70 

D 

data source 

creating, 114 

creating Excel spreadsheet for, 117 


defined, 114 

limitation, 115 

opening CSV file, 128 

opening text file, 128 

types, 114 

uses, 114 

decoding defined, 19 

deleting a field, 89 

deleting a profile, 81 

DHCP server 

defined, 53 

initialization file, 36 

installing, 53 

stopping and starting, 54 

DHCP Server Kit, 53 

diagnostics software 

for stand-alone VCode, 10 

for Velocity11 automation system, 10 

opening, 62 

version, 5 

disable stage auto-repositioning, 68 

DiscoveredBioNet Devices dialog box, 55 

disposing of waste, 8 

documentation, see user guides 

drop stage 

defined, 132 

setting, 132 

drop stage command, 63 

drop stage value, 67 

DropStage method, 160 

E 

EmunerateProfiles method, 161 

encoding defined, 19 

Error event, 169 

errors in software, reporting, 7 

errors in user guide, reporting, 7 

Ethernet 

firewall, 55 

installing a direct connection, 42 

Ethernet connection 

choosing, 34 

setting up stand-alone, 42 

workflow, 39 

Ethernet network card, see network card, 41 

Ethernet switch, 43 

Ethernet, see also networking 

events 

Error, 169 

GreenButton, 169 

HomeComplete, 169 

InitiailzeComplete, 170 

PrintAndApplyComplete, 170 

PrintComplete, 170 

Rotate180Complete, 170 

Excel spreadsheet 

as data source, 117 

opening as data source, 129 

using to create CSV file, 117 

extend head command, 63 

external methods file, location, 109 

F 

field 

adding to label format, 90 

changing position in label format, 94 

changing size in label format, 95 

defined, 111 

defining the value, 91 

deleting, 89 

field type, 85 

fields, number allowed, 90 

file locations, 109 

Find button, 3 

finding the file, 2 

firewall 


passing data, 56 

program, 55 

Windows XP, 55 

firmware defined, 150 

format 

changing for field, 92 

compared to label format, 20 

format parameter, 85 

G 

GetBarcodeField method, 161 

GetLastError method, 162 

green button, 11 

green button command, 63 

GreenButton event, 169

Index 


173 

H 

H Mag parameter, 86 

hardware overview, 11 

harness, bar code reader, 150 

HasBCR method, 162 

head retracted sensor light, 63 

head, see applicator head 

home position, 67 

HomeComplete event, 169 

HomeStage method, 163 

I 

Ignore method, 158 

increment, 122 

index parameter, 85 

initial counter value, 122 

Initialize method, 163 

InitializeComplete event, 170 

installation 

power cable, 33 

serial cable, 35 

software, 56 

workflow, 26 

Intermec 3240 settings, 65 

interval property, 122 

IP address 

about, 36 

assigning dynamically, 53 

dynamic, 36, 55 

static, 36, 37, 55 

IP address of computer 

about, 36 

configuring, 44 

IP address of VCode 

about, 37 

changing, 47 

L 

lab automation software, 16 

lab automation system, VCode in, 10 

lab requirements, 28 

label 

clearing of contents, 89 

coordinates, 85 

printing darkness, 65 

label editor 

details of using, 84 

feature overview, 20 

opening, 88 

printing one label from, 100 

label field data, 84 


label format 

adding field, 90 

and data source comparison, 20 


designing workflow, 87 

loading from computer, 88 

loading from printer, 88 

process of creating new, 87 

saving, 98 

uploading to printer, 98 

where stored, 84 

label format field, defining the value, 91 

label format file, 19 

label format property, 131 

label format storage, 19 

label taken sensor, 63, 64 

labelling 

automatically, 22 

batch workflow, 108 

groups of plates identically, 136 

in batches, 22 

manually, 22 

overall process, 21 

starting batch run, 135 

laser safety warnings, 145 

load printer settings, 65 

loading label format from computer, 88 

loading label format from printer, 88 

lookups file, location, 109 

M 

magnification, changing, 95 

manual labelling, 22 

Materials Safety data Sheet. see MSDS 

method 

Abort, 158 

AboutBox, 158 

AddToQueue, 159 

ClearQueue, 160 

Close, 160 

DropStage, 160 

EmunerateProfiles, 161 

GetBarcodeField, 161 

GetLastError, 162 

HasBCR, 162 

HomeStage, 163 

Ignore, 158 

Initialize, 163 

PrintAndApply, 164 

PrintAndApplyQueue, 165 

PrintLabel, 165 

PrintLabelQueue, 166 

ReadBarcode, 166 

Retry, 158

174 

Index 


Rotate180, 167 

ShowDiagsDialog, 168 

moving parts hazard, 33 

MSDS, 8 

N 

network 

integrating into existing, 37 

setting up new, 37 

network card, 36 


installing, 41 

installing and configuring, 41 

networking 

connecting to a LAN, 43 

Ethernet, 17 

multiple VCodes, 43 

safety, 37 

serial, 17 

networking kit, see DHCP Server Kit 

NumReprintAttempts property, 157 

O 

online help 

finding the file, 2 

opening, 2 

using advanced search, 2 

when to use, 2 

opening a print job, 134 

P 

PDF guide, 3 

PDF help system, opening, 4 

PDF user guide, 2 

plate spacer, 75 

plate stage, 11 

about height, 132 

diagram, 11 

placing a plate on, 74 

position, 66 

rotating manually, 70 

setting height, 76 

plate stage auto-repositioning 

turning on or off, 68 

plate, placing on plate stage, 74 

plates with same skirt height, 75 

PlateTag software, 14 

overview, 14 

screenshots, 14 

starting, 58 

version, 5 

PlateTag, with stand-alone VCode, 10 

position of fields on label, 94 

positioning the bar code reader, 145 

power cable installation, 33 

power requirements, 28 

prepended text, 121 

pressure sensor, 63, 64 

print job 

and test printing, 99 

creating, 133 

defined, 133 


diagram, 112 

opening, 134, 135 

saving, 134 

starting, 135 

PrintAndApply method, 164 

PrintAndApplyComplete event, 170 

PrintAndApplyQueue method, 165 

PrintComplete event, 170 

printer 

about setting up, 65 

diagram, 11 

settings, 65 

speed, 66 

printing 

multiple labels to a plate, 103 

options, 99 

test labels, 99 

printing identical labels to plates, 104 

PrintLabel method, 165 

PrintLabelQueue method, 166 

production labelling workflow, 108 

profile 

creating, 79 

defined, 59 

deleting, 81 

renaming, 81 

selecting, 60, 82 

property 

Blocking, 156 

ControlPicture, 156 

NumReprintAttempts, 157 

R 

raise stage command, 63 

read angle, 148 

ReadBarcode method, 166 

renaming a profile, 81 

reporting errors, 7 

requirements, software, 28 

rest angle, current, 64 

retract head command, 63 

Retry method, 158 

robot pickup angle, 67, 71

Index 


175 

setting, 72 

viewing, 69 

rotate to printer command, 63 

rotate to stage command, 63 

Rotate180 method, 167 

Rotate180Complete event, 170 

run, starting, 135 

S 

safety 

labels, 8 

laser, 145 

training, 8 

safety warning, 33 

saving a print job, 134 

schema 


copying, 125 

creating, 125 


deleting, 126 

diagram, 112 

updating, 125 

schema file location, 109 

selecting a profile, 82 

serial cable, installing, 35 

serial connection to bar code reader, 152 

serial connection, choosing, 34 

ShowDiagsDialog method, 168 

size of field, changing, 95 

Skip distance, 65 

software 

installation, 56 

overview, 13 

version, see PlateTag or diagnostics, 5 

software architecture, 16 

software requirements, 28 

spacer, plate, 75 

stage height, about setting, 75 

stand-alone connection, 37 

starting VCode, 58 

sticky mode, 138 

switch, 43 

T 

tab-separated file 

about, 116 

creating, 116 

teachpoint 

moving plate stage to, 71 

retention, 67 

test printing labels, about, 99 

Testing page 

printing identical labels to plates, 104 

printing multiple labels to a plate, 103 

printing one label from, 101 

testing the bar code reader, 147 

Top of form property, 65 

turning VCode on and off, 58 

U 

unpacking, 27 

user guides, about, 2 

V 

V Mag parameter, 86 

vacuum on/off command, 63 

Value parameter, 85, 91 

variable name, 111, 121 

variables file, location, 109 

VCode, 29, 30 

as stand-alone, 10 

communicating with, 60 

connecting to, 60 


diagram, 11 

firmware, 17 

in third-party automation system, 10 

in Velocity11 automation system, 10 

setting up multiple, 79 

stand-alone, 37 

turning on and off, 58 

unpacking the VCode, 27 


overview, 13 

uses, 13 

VCode User Guide, what is covered, 6 

verifying bar codes, 149 

VWorks software, 10, 14, 16 

W 

warning, laser, 145 

warranty, 8 

waste disposal, 8 

Windows XP, 55 

wiring harness connections, 151 

workflow 

bar code reader installation, 142 

changing bar code reader formats, 150 

designing label format, 87 

Ethernet connection, 39 

installation, 26 

X 

x, y-coordinates, 85

176 

Index 


Agilent Technologies 

User Guide 

G5404-90001

Microplate Barcode Labeler User Guide - Agilent Technologies

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